Kevin van den Elzen is a Dutch drummer, bandleader and educator born in Oss, but has been living in Los Angeles since 2015.
Kevin has played with John Clayton, Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts, John Beasley, Josh Nelson, Bob Sheppard, Anthony Wilson, Gerald Clayton, Nick Mancini, Larry Carlton, New York Voices, Ack van Rooyen, Fay Claassen, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Shirma Rouse and many others.
He has played with the following big bands: Bill Holman Big Band, Dave Slonaker Big Band, Paradox Jazz Orchestra, Danny Jonokuchi Big Band, Joe DiFiore Big Band, Tim McKay Big Band, Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra.
Together with pianist Josh Nelson he leads the West Coast Jazz Hour. The WCJH consists of a trio, quintet and 18-piece big band. The musicians involved with WCJH are among the top of the LA and international jazz scene. They play the music of Los Angeles with works by Gerald Wilson, Johnny Mandel, Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, Oliver Nelson, Bob Florence, Bill Holman and many others. Kevin also leads his Dutch band, the Dutch Concert Big Band when he is in the Netherlands.
Kevin started playing drums when he was 3 years old and started lessons when he was 5 years old. His father introduced him to jazz music, specifically big band jazz. The music of Frank Sintra with Count Basie grabbed him by the throat.
Kevin studied at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Marcel Serierse, Martijn Vink, Lucas van Merwijk and Gerhard Jeltes between 2009 and 2014. He then did his master’s degree between 2015 and 2017 with Peter Erskine, Ndugu Chancler, Roy McCurdy and Aaron Serfaty at the Thorton School of Music, University of Southern California. He has had private lessons from Jeff Hamilton and Joe LaBarbera.