Pseudonyms
Jerry Van Lee, Jerry Van Lion
Ger van Leeuwen
Ger van Leeuwen (Amsterdam, 26 September 1919 – Bussum, late February 2008) became widely known for his activities in broadcasting during the first two decades after WW II. He leads various ensembles, from trio to big band, but never tours with any of them. He receives his first piano lessons ...
Full biography
Instruments
arrangeur, componist, dirigent, piano, tenorsaxofoon
Biography Ger van Leeuwen
Ger van Leeuwen (Amsterdam, 26 September 1919 – Bussum, late February 2008) became widely known for his activities in broadcasting during the first two decades after WW II. He leads various ensembles, from trio to big band, but never tours with any of them. He receives his first piano lessons at age seven, and also starts playing the tenor saxophone. At the age of sixteen he gains experience in trombonist/arranger Pi Scheffer's amateur band, the Blue Ramblers. During the German occupation he breaks off his economy studies, and starts writing arrangements for the orchestras of Dick Willebrandts and Ernst van 't Hof.
1945
He works in Belgium and France for British soldiers, as part of the ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association). Until February 1947 he plays with Lex van Spall.
1947 - 1948
Klaas van Beeck invites him to join his dance band, and from 1951 he occasionally subs on piano for Theo Uden Masman with the Ramblers. Various radio ensembles, including the Victorians, Maria Zamora and Jan Corduwener's band, make use of his services, as a pianist, but especially as an arranger.
Klaas van Beeck The Ramblers
1948
Klaas van Beeck's bassist, Henk Orthman, includes him in his newly formed sextet.
1950
Ger van Leeuwen replaces pianist Eddy de Jong in Jan Mol's Trio XYZ, which later becomes a quartet when a drummer is added. The group frequently performs for VARA radio. In the meantime he continues to arrange for various ensembles.
Jan Mol
1952 - 1956
When Jan Mol leaves for Indonesia Ger van Leeuwen takes over as leader of the trio. He adds tenor saxophonist Kees Bruijn to the line-up, making it the Ger van Leeuwen Quartet. The foursome regularly performs for the radio, sometimes augmented by a guest soloist. Van Leeuwen forms a big band, consisting of radio musicians, and records several albums with it. Early 1956 he signs with RCA, but the final output remains limited to an EP with Australian singer Shirley Ryan and two 78s with a number of medleys. The recordings he makes with Jerry van Rooyen and Babes Pronk's quintet on 25 May 1956 remain shelved.
Jerry van Rooyen Kees Bruijn
1956 - 1979
He makes a day job of accompanying, arranging and conducting for radio and record recordings – a job that usually remains anonymous.
Discography Ger van Leeuwen
Van Lion And His Big Band
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3-Dimensial Dance Date
Ger van Leeuwen En Zijn Orkest
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Blackwood Boogie
Ger van Leeuwen en Zijn Orkest
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Buss'em
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1952
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Label
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Omega, 21830
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B-side
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Jerry's Boogie
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, 5 June 1952; the same personel as Blackwood Boogie (Omega 21829)
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Kwartet Ger van Leeuwen
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'Deed I Do
Ger van Leeuwen en Zijn Orkest
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Jumpin' High
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1952
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Label
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Omega, 21831
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B-side
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Be My Life's Companion
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, 5 June 1952; the same personel as Blackwood Boogie (Omega 21829)
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Kwartet Ger van Leeuwen
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My Blue Heaven
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1952
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Label
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Omega, 35110
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B-side
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You're Driving Me Crazy
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, 16 December 1952; the same personel as 'Deed I Do (Omega 35109)
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Ger van Leeuwen Orkest
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Chloe
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1953
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Label
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Omega, 22086
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B-side
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Dream
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, May 1953; the same personel as Ghost Boogie (Omega 35114)
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Ger van Leeuwen en Zijn Orkest
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Ghost Boogie
Jerry’s Juke-Boxers
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Golden Slippers
Ger van Leeuwen Orkest
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You' re Driving Me Crazy
Act
|
Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1953
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Label
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Omega, 22054
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B-side
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Takin' A Chance On Love
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, 15 April 1953; the same personel as Ghost Boogie (Omega 35114)
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Kwartet Ger van Leeuwen
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Any Time
Ger van Leeuwen Trio
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Oh, Lady Be Good
Act
|
Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1954
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Label
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Omega, 35161
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B-side
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Tea For Two
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muzikant
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Ger Daalhuisen
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muzikant
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Cor van den Berg
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Details
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Recorded in Bussum, 7 April 1954
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Kwartet Ger van Leeuwen
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What'll I Do
Ger van Leeuwen Trio
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Medley nr. 101
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1956
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Label
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RCA, 18164
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B-side
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Medley nr. 102
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Ger van Leeuwen Trio
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Medley nr. 103
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1956
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Label
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RCA, 18169
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B-side
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Medley nr. 104
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Shirley Ryan Met Het Quartet Ger Van Leeuwen / Jerry Van Lee
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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7", 1956
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Label
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RCA, CID 75166
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muzikant
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Kees Bruijn
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muzikant
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Ger Daalhuisen
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muzikant
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Cor van den Berg
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Details
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EP containing 4 songs; recorded in Amsterdam, 22 February 1956; co-leader is Shirley Ryan (vocals)
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Ger van Leeuwen Trio
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Piano Time: Volume I
Ger van Leeuwen Orkest
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Wat Zou Je Doen
Act
|
Ger van Leeuwen
|
Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1952
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Label
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Omega, 21841
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muzikant
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Details
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Recorded in Brussels, 8 July 1952; also featuring Billy Desmedt (organ), Willy Buyssens (guitar), René Goldstein (double bass) & Rudy Frankel (drums)
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Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Type and year
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78 Toeren, 1952
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Label
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Omega, 21842
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muzikant
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Ger van Leeuwen
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Details
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Recorded in Brussels, 8 July 1952; also featuring Billy Desmedt (organ), Willy Buyssens (guitar), René Goldstein (double bass) & Rudy Frankel (drums)
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Mieke Bos
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Chitty Chitty Beng Beng
Act
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Ger van Leeuwen
|
Type and year
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LP, 1969
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Label
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Philips, 855 820 XPY
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producer
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Ger van Leeuwen
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In the discography you will find all recordings that have been released listed chronologically. We restrict ourselves to the title, the type of audio, year of publication or recording, label, list of guest musicians, plus any comments on the issue.
Audio/Video Ger van Leeuwen
Video Ger van Leeuwen
Studio Hilversum: Hommage...
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