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RONALD DE JONG |
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Biography Discography Audio Gigs |
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Heemstede 1967. As required in that day and age, Ronald started piano lessons at the age of seven. When he was fourteen, after one year of guitar lessons - in a moment of temporary insanity- he used his pocket money to buy his first bass guitar. Once at home, he discovered very quickly that such an instrument doesn't produce much sound without amplification. The Philips turntable solved the problem and did so for many years to come (They don't make things like that anymore!). By tricks and devices, without any inhibition regarding the mediocre level of his playing, Ronald managed to get involved in various school bands. Everything started with the band 'Centrum', with singer Alexandra van Marken(!). Next was the band 'Creature', the first serious step to the stage, well, two or three gigs, getting Ronald hooked on music! Together with his brother Gerard and Wally Zeijlmaker on guitar and Jantje Koster (later famous with the hard rock band "Sleezbeez") on drums, he played/practised both his own songs (with euphonic titles as 'Get on with the race') as well as covers from Wishbone Ash en various other rock bands. Like a good inhabitant of the consevative town Heemstede should, Ronald played loads of jazz in the living room, with his friend Bart Drontman and is was then that he was asked to play in the school cabaret 'Cabaret Obscura', together with (a.o.) Lucas Asselbergs (now 'Handsome Harry Company') and Erik van Muiswinkel (who doesn't know this man!). As a double bass obviously gives a lot more prestige in a town like Heemstede, his parents bought Ronald one and Hans van Meeghem taught him classical double bass for several years. In a mysterious way (despite of or thanks to?), many musicians and singers, that crossed his path during the years, have become reasonably of very well-known. We are still searching for an explanation for this phenomena. Thijs Vermeulen (Sjako!) gave Ronald further training on bass guitar en got him into contact with Larry Cook and the band GRIN. Ronald could be heard on the radio for the first time, with the single 'You need a gun', which put GRIN in the VARA's radio chart 'Verukkelijke 15' during several weeks. The album 'A view from the Valley' was recorded, which (isn't that what it's supposed to do?) flopped miserably. Highly disappointed, Ronald decided to start a career in the bar business. But the urge to play music remained and from time to time he would still secretly play his guitar. No style was too strange: from jazz over funk to soul and blues rock! Together with his friends Bart Edel, Bert Heemskerk and drummer Martijn Bosman ("Gotcha", "Kane"), he formed the rock band "Common Bert", which was quite successful in Haarlem and it's surroundings. He even played loads of live concerts with an acoustic singing trio and many chords were stricken in the orchestra pit at the Dreigrosschenoper. With the band "Van Kampen en de Leeuw", with leen Korenhof, Andreas Pielage ('Hakim') and Mark Kamstra he played his first real big stage. Paradiso in Amsterdam as a support to Steve Harley en Cockney Rebel. It was during this period that Ronald started organising the 'X-miXX' for café Studio in Haarlem, still a big event on the Sunday prior to Christmas. The illustrious bass player is also the founder of the 'January 1st festival' in that same café, still an event that will be sold out months in advance, where he performed with renowned Dutch artists such as Peter Schön, Leon Klaasse (Powerplay, Pilgrims, Freek de Jonge), Wil Maas (Borsato), Paulette Willems ('Miss Einstein'), Xander Hubrecht (Idolsband) and Arnold Smits ('Gotcha!', 'Raggende Manne'). Marcel Schmidt, ('Raggende Manne') Roland Brunt ('De Dijk'), Arend Bouweester and Ro Krom (Gotcha!). Between times he played with (and not as a support to!) Shane MacGowan (Pogues/ Popes) in Germany during the presentation of his CD ''The Crock of Gold'. In 1997 Ronald met the Irish Danny Guinan, who was new to Haarlem and looking for musicians for his band. Ronald wouldn't be Ronald if he didn't grab this opportunity with both hands and presented himself as an obliging bass player. Ronald drummed up all his friends, convincing them to join the band and all at once, he saw the light… He kissed his bar career goodbye and chose the life of a fulltime musician. Ronald got the chance to do so much more that playing the bass: he co wrote, co produced and co arranged the band's songs, resulting in four well received CD's. But he also took care of most of the practical matters: Ronald took care of promotions and bookings, bought a van to drive the band around the Netherlands (and beyond)…In short, he was always working for Danny Guinan & Red, both on and off the stage. All this hard work resulted in approx. 900 gigs in Holland and abroad (e.g. Ireland, Germany, Finland and Belgium). Ronald performed on famous stages such as Paradiso, Melkweg, in a number of theatres, including the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and during renowned festivals such as Dranouter in Belgium, The Irish Festival in Finland and Folkwoods in Eindhoven. They also were support to a.o. Luka Bloom, and An emotional Fish. In the summer of 2003 Danny Guinan decided unilaterally to end the collaboration. A disillusioned Ronald saw years of hard work and the investment of time and talent going down the drain. But he had nothing to fear, as the infamous 'black hole' had no time to appear! Guinan's words were not yet cold, as several offers came Ronald's way! A number of artists and bands were looking for a professional bass player and the news that Ronald de Jong was available travelled fast. The experiences he gained with his last band, as a bass player but also as a promoter, secretary, agent, driver, accountant and roadie made him a much wanted multi functional band member. Nowadays Ronald is playing with several bands, to spread the risks. Anything for that Pop Star Sensation! With Herman Pouderoyen and Onno Kuipers, Dutch chansons With Arthur Ebeling, Holland's best kept jump-jive and blues secret With Boyd Small Four + One, the best blues singer/drummer you have ever heard! With Stooom!, covers (The Police, U2, INXS, Romantics, Kane...) With Paul Martin, Irish performer of Irish and American songs With Noel Shannon, thé Irish wedding entertainer! Ronald is also an agent for several artists he highly appreciates, such as Freddy White, Larry Cook and the Bulgarian band Artery. |