Van Velzen

Roel van Velzen (artistname VanVelzen) was born on the 20th of March, 1978 in the Netherlands. Van Velzen is a singer/pianist. On his highschool, the Christelijk Lyceum Delft, Van Velzen is in a couple of schoolbands. He composes his own music and he writes the annual musical as well. When he goes to college music is starting to become more and more important for him. He starts his own band called "Goldfish" and he wins the Heineken Student Music Award, in 1999. Since 2002 Van Velzen is part of the theatregroup Op Sterk Water. He performs two times on Lowlands with this group. After his study Van Velzen participates in the group Crazy Pianos in Scheveningen. While a performance in the Gelredome, Arnhem, he meets his current manager, Ruud H. Vinke. Van Velzen is noticed in 2005 by the Dutch producers Holger Schwedt (Anouk, Blof), Nando Eweg (Di-rect, Birgit) and John Ewbank (Marco Borsato), and with them he produces an album. October, 2006. Van Velzen is starting to get familiar with the big mainstream audience after performing at the TMF Awards 2006, instead of James Morrison. Morrison called in sick that day. At the 30th of June 2007, Van Velzen will be performing for a big crowd, because he will be playing at the second edition of Concert at Sea, Zeeland. Van Velzen's first album will be released in March, 2007, called "Unwind". Twelve tracks are present on this album, written by himself, but also by John Ewbank and Andreas Johnson (known of the hit "Glorius"). The music is supported by the live-band of Anouk and Cor Bakker. The first single of Van Velzen, "Baby Get Higher" came out in September 2006. His single was announced as the 3FM Megahit and became quite a good succes. The highest position in the Top40 was the 17th and this single was also used in a commercial for Q-Music. His second single "Burn" became the Alarmschijf.