Dutch Artists

Dutch Artists

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Dutch Accordion History

The Accordion was first found in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 1900s. The accordion most probably arrived via the German border. It is played mainly in the east, particularly in the region of Twente and Drenthe, which had a diatonic accordion tradition lead by artists such as Jan Klein-Hesseling, Gerrit Klompenhouwer and Hendrick Lievens. In 1950s the accordion went on to become one of the most prolific instruments of all time. Perhaps the best known Dutch accordionist is Jean Kraft. But Holland also produced some good other accordion musicians including Addy Kleijngeld, Coen van Orsouw, Sjeng Haeren, Piet van Gorp, Jan Gorissen, Jaap Valkhoff, Piet Bex, Eddy Hoorenman and Jos Hupperts. All famous accordionists are very popular with audiences and many records. Some of the Netherlands has produced its best accordionists in the field of jazz, notably Johnny Meijer and Harry Mooten. Dutch accordionists were also found of the musette style, which probably reached them through Belgium. A specialist in this style was Frans Van Capelle. Some Dutch artists travelled all over the world performing accordion music. Accordionist Arie Maasland, (Malando) and accordionist Johnny Holshuysen (John Woodhouse) were best known as the Dutch Accordionists in other countries.