Bio

Born in Amsterdam Freddy’s talent was recognized at a young age and he started learning congas at the age of 12. Freddy was honoured to study with Raoul Burnet who was regarded as the best conga player and teacher in Western Europe.

Raoul was a master percussionist (one of the first musicians endorsed by LP – Latin Percussion in the Netherlands) and an expert in Afro Cuban rhythms. Raoul Burnet played with music legends such as Patato Valdez, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Wilson Picket, Art Blakey and many more.

After Raoul’s sudden death, Freddy started to play kit drums as well to reggae music, ska music and funk. In the 80’s he joined the band Revelation Time that quickly grew into the best afro reggae band in the Netherlands and one of the finest in Europe . Revelation Time had a top 40 hit in Europe with a song called South Africa . Freddy played drums and percussion with this band for over 12 years and toured Germany, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Sweden, Malta and Italy.

Revelation Time backed up Jamaican artists such as Lee Perry and Eek a Mouse, and supported well-known bands such as Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Alpha Blondy, UB40, Inner Circle , Ossibisa, Saleif Keita, Toure Kounda, Senemali, Kumbi Saleh and Fela Kuti.

During this period throughout the 90’s Freddy found a passion for West African rhythms and in particularly djembe drumming from Guinea West Africa.

Since being in Australia, Freddy has made an impact on the WA Music Scene. He is currently playing and has played with Latin Jazz group Descarga (featuring Chris Tarr, Tom O’hallaran, Troy Roberts, Dane Anderson, Des White, Jeremy Grieg, Matt Jodrell), LC Salsa, Los Chasquis, Latin Fusion, was the founding member of WAADA (now Akwaaba) , Mike Pigneguy, Glynn MacDonald, with Russell Borrows in Odai Nmai’s group, WAAPA’s award winning Defying Gravity, WAAPA Latin Music Ensemble, Lamine Sonko, Brenda Lee, Mohamed Bangoura, Ziggy Bey Diagne, Glenn Shorrock (Little River Band) in the Perth Concert Hall, Percussion Group Wongai, Barney McAll, Paul Tanner, Funkalleros, Lafaya (Mauritian Community band), Jason Heerah (Australia's top drummer from Electric Empire), Thierryno Gangou (One of Mauritius most versatile keyboard players), Nuevo Salsa Orchestra with Marty Purvan and 3xWAMi winner with Grace Barbe as best World Music Act in Western Australia.

With the Grace Barbe Afro Kreol band Freddy has performed as a drummer and percussionist at SAKIFO Reunion Island 2010, Iomma 2011 Reunion Island, Reggae Donsa Mauritius 2011, WOMADELAIDE 2012, Byron Bay Blues and Roots in 2010 and 2011, Blue Mountains Festival 2010,  Queenscliff Festival 2009 and Woodford Folk Festival in 2009 and 2009, Nannup Music Festival 2010 and Fairbridge Folk Festival in 2010 and 2011.

Because of his travels to Mauritius and Reunion Island, Freddy has emerged himself into the music styles like the Sega and the Seggae. In 2010 the Mauritian Perth based group Lafaya  (with Freddy as drummer) were the backing band for the famous Mauritian vocal duo Nancy Derougere and Mario Justin and in 2011 Freddy was the percussionist for a Mauritian Allstar band called Tamtam Nostalzi with Jason Heerah, Thierryno Gangou, Damien Binzagou and Gerard G backing up Mauritian sega pioneers Serge Lebrasse (81), Jean-Claude Gaspard (65), and Roger Clency (80). Special mention to my friend, the pianist Thierryno Gangou who I regard as my mentor in Mauritian Music.

As a hand percussionist Freddy  conducts djembe and conga drumming workshops, teaches at the Drum Shop in Perth, he works with organisations such as CanTeen, Telethon, UWA WAAPA, Perth Jazz Society and Camp Quality and numerous schools.

Freddy is a casual lecturer and performer at ECU WAAPA (West Australian Academy of Performing Arts)where he has been working over the last years with WAAPA’s award winning percussion group Defying Gravity and it's director  Tim White, lecturer in percussion at the WA Academy of Performing Arts and Principal Percussion with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Freddy also works together with numerous organisations facilitating Drum team building sessions throughout Australia and the world.

Since 2005 Freddy has organised 6 successful Drum Camps called “Back to the Roots” in Jarrahdale WA . Together with Guinean Master Drummer Mohamed Bangoura from Sydney workshops are being held in traditional Djembe drumming, Dance and Afro Cuban drumming. Mohamed Bangoura recognised Freddy’s talent and passion acknowledged him as a Djembe instructor.

Freddy is also the Australian agent for the world famous Mamady Keita, the grand master of djembe. Mamady has done 2 workshop tours through Australia in 2008 and 2009.

Freddy is currently (semi) endorsed by LP (Latin Percussion) and is available for workshops/private tuition at the Drumshop’s Academy Drums . Freddy  has produced 3 interactive DVDs and a CD with Mohamed Bangoura on traditional Guinean Rhythms and Chants. Check www.djembekan.net.