Johnny Agisilaou
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Limassol, Cyprus, Johnny is a Greek Cypriot drummer whose musical journey is as dynamic and diverse as his heritage. Introduced in the world of jazz from an early age, thanks to his parents' love for the genre, he began playing drums at the age of
eight. His early professional foray into music saw him embracing the intensity of metal, a genre
that shaped his technical prowess and stage presence.
At fifteen, Johnny rekindled his passion for jazz, dedicating himself to the intricate rhythms and
improvisational spirit that define the genre. After completing high school, he fulfilled his mandatory
military service in Cyprus, serving in the elite special forces, an experience that instilled discipline
and resilience, qualities that would later inform his musical career.
A year in Cambridge and London exposed Johnny to a rich tapestry of musical influences, further
broadening his artistic horizons. His talent and dedication earned him a place at Codarts
University of the Arts in Rotterdam, where he specialized in Afro-Cuban drums. This period was
marked by an exploration of various musical styles, all while maintaining jazz as his foundational
pillar.
Pursuing higher education, Johnny completed a Master’s degree in Jazz Drums at the Royal
Conservatory of The Hague. Under the mentorship of esteemed musicians Erik Ineke, Felix
Schlarmann, and Stefan Kruger, he honed his craft, blending technical skill with expressive depth.
His studies also took him to New York City, where he had the privilege of learning from jazz
luminaries in the scene such as Kendrick Scott.
Today, Johnny is a prominent figure in the Dutch jazz scene, actively involved in numerous
projects that showcase his versatility and innovative spirit. His journey from the sunny shores of
Cyprus to the bustling jazz hubs of Europe and the United States reflects a commitment to
musical excellence and a passion for continuous growth. Whether laying down complex rhythms
in a jazz ensemble or exploring new musical territories, Johnny brings a unique voice to every
performance, rooted in a rich cultural heritage and an unwavering love for the art of drumming and
music.
Jesper Albers
Benny Bakker
Matthias Böhm
Annemarie van den Born
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Tim Brink
Tim Brink studied drums & percussion at the conservatory in Alkmaar. Finishing his studies there in 2007, he continued studying at the LA Music Academy in Pasadena, California in 2009. After returning home in The Netherlands he started teaching, playing theatre shows around the country, and working as a freelance drummer for several artists. Now he still can be found on the road in different musical situations, or busy recording in his home-studio.
Daniël van den Brink
Carmelo Carmusciano
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Tim van Delft
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Joost Sheik van Dyck
Johan Eggermont
Remco Engels
Photo: JMS fotografie
Joris Feiertag
Domenico Ferlisi-Greco
Jonathan Frach
Taco Gorter
Janneke van Heeswijk
Bryan Hokkeling
Fokke de Jong
Jan Ole Jönsson
Christian Josef
Olaf Keus
Joost Koevoets
Junoir Koney
Willem van der Krabben
Femke Krone
Stefan Kruger
Stefan Lehmann
Axel Limbeek
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Han Mali
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Gabriel Marlier
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Brussels native Gabriel Marlier is a dedicated drummer whose journey in the world of metal and rock has already spanned 20 incredible years. He likes to play low, dark and deep sounds and came to his drumming style through a myriad of influences, the first of which was the bossa nova that his Brazilian mother played in the car while driving him to school. This and many other diverse rhythms - jazz, soul, hip-hop - became his musical references and are absorbed into his unique style of doom and post-hardcore music. Marlier is now active with the Belgian band My Diligence which will release a new album in spring 2024.
Frederik Meeuwis
Maarten Molema
Marco Möller
Jonas Nieuwenbroek
Arno van Nieuwenhuize
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Yordi Petit
Toby Pluta
Robbert van der Pluijm
As drummer, Robbert has been around the Dutch rock and metal scene since 1997. Playing for various bands from a young age he slowly transitioned from rock and punk into metal. Mostly self-taught, he has no official musical training but did seek out other drummers and drum teachers to keep him on track and challenging him to improve and learn different genres of music and other techniques. Since the early 2000’s Robbert has been studying and training with Marcel van Weerdenburg with a focus on independence, and feet/hand control. Robbert is a founding member and drummer for Man As Plague.
Over the years Robbert experimented with all major (and a couple of smaller) cymbal brands. Early in 2023 he started trying out Istanbul cymbals and quickly added more and more of them to his setup. In 2024 he joined the Istanbul family as an endorser.
- Setup 2024:
- 13” Xist Dry Dark Hi-hats
- 21” Custom Turk Ride
- 18” Traditional Dark Crash
- 20” Traditional Dark Crash
- 18” Xist Ion Crash
- 18” Xist Dry Dark Brilliant Crash
- 16” Turk China
- 8” Xist Raw Bell
Mischa Porte
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Jean Prat
Wouter Prudon
Bram Raeymaekers
Wouter Rentema
Janneck Risse
Harrie Roelse
Tom Rutgers
Jasper Samsom
Florian Schanze
Marc Schenk
Mark Schilders
Michael Schumm
Juen Schütt
As a young creative drummer in a wonderful environment full of beauty to explore, I'm learning about the past and finding my role in the future. I started playing drums at a young age, soon I became interested in other creative subjects as well, they inspire me in my own playing and I love to combine them. The cymbals of Istanbul match my taste perfectly while simultaneously giving me new insights about the possibility of sounds. With my band EUT I’m exploring the hybrid possibilities of production and drums. For Mazey Haze I found inspiration in the 60s with a modern approach. With IGOR I’m the backbone of a big hip hop orchestra.
Istanbul fits them all.
Santo Scinta
Benedikt Stehle
Gaëlle Swann
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Sander van Truijen
Ruben van der Velde
Robin Visser
Ruud Voesten
Encouraged by his favourite rock/punk bands, Ruud picked up the drumsticks at the age of 15. He studied for 3 years with Peter Wolterinck, at the “Liemers Muziekschool” in Zevenaar after
which he was accepter for the preparatory year at the “ArtEZ Conservatory” in Arnhem.
In Arnhem he studied with René Creemers and Joop van Erven, who introduced him to improvised
music and on to this day are responsible for Ruud's enthousiasm in music. At ArtEZ he had the chance to work with many people like Bob Stoloff, Tamir Hendelman and
Nancy Marano, and graduated in 2011.
From 2010 till 2013 he was part of The Jonas Hemmersbach Group, with whom he performed in
The Netherlands and Germany and played the finals of the Dordtse Jazz Prijs in 2011 and 2013.
From 2009 till 2015 Ruud was the drummer of the electro rock band Krach. During their existence
they recorder two albums, “Krach” (2011) and “Last Time I Checked This Was My House” (2014),
and played at venues and festivals like Paradiso, Rotown, Vera, Eurosonic Noorderslag, Metropolis
and DWDD.
Feeling more and more attracted to improvisation and accoustic sound, Ruud started a master
education at “The Codarts Conservatory”, to study with Hans van Oosterhout and Joost Patocka,
which he finished in 2015.
In 2014 he started the trio TriColour, a trio dedicated to the trio's of Avishai Cohen (trp) and
Branford Marsalis, where the absence of a harmony instrument gives the music a new dimension.
During this time Ruud followed composition classes with Stefan Lievestro and started composing
for TriColour and the quartet version, TriColour +1. On grounds of this material he was selected to participate in de Erasmus Jazz Prize 2015 and granted a concert in the North Sea Round Town festival.
Since 2014 Ruud has been playing and recording with the Slovenian pianist Rok Zalokar.
Highpoints of this collaboration are winnig the Erasmus Jazz Prijs and performing at North Sea Jazz
as the Rok Zalokar Trio in 2016, and performing at Ljubljana Jazz Festival 2018 as Rok Zalokar –
Port Songs.
During their stay in Ljubljana they recorded their debut album, which is scheduled to be released
mid of 2019.
As a leader Ruud has released an EP with his electric band ROEST in 2016.
The second EP for ROEST is scheduled to be released fall 2019.
In 2018 Ruud toured extensively with the trio Federico Castelli / Ruud Voesten / Adrian
Christensen in Denmark and the Netherlands. During this time they recorded their debut release,
“Fish Counrty”, scheduled for mid 2019.
Other new releases to be expected featuring Ruud as a sideman are Alex Vansalen, Maarten
Voortman Quintet, D Liver Quartet, Rok Zalokar – Port Songs.
Currently Ruud lives in Rotterdam, playing regularly in The Netherlands and teaching at
“Drumschool Fred Lankamp” and musicschool 'MOZ-Art in Nieuwerkerk aan de Ijsel'.
Ruud has proudly been playing Istanbul Agop cymbals since 2011.
Joeri Wagemans
Damian de Weerd
Damian de Weerd is een drummer met een speelstijl die gekenmerkt wordt door virtuositeit, diversiteit, dynamiek, kracht, maar vooral groove.
Damian werd in 2001 geboren in het Noord-Hollandse Zaandam en komt uit een zeer muzikaal gezin. Hij heeft drumles gehad van diverse topdocenten. In 2015 deed Damian mee aan het tv-programma Superkids waar hij finalist was. Na zijn deelname aan Superkids is Damian ambassadeur voor Het Vergeten Kind geweest. Op 15-jarige leeftijd speelde hij al op diverse grote festivals met zijn band Down Jones. In 2017 is Damian uitgeroepen tot “Beste drummer van de Benelux”. Daarnaast heeft hij meegewerkt aan diverse tv-producties zoals Time to Dance in 2018 en America’s Got Talent in Los Angeles in 2019. Damian geeft drumles en drumclinics. Daarnaast houdt hij zich veel bezig met sessie- en studiowerk. Hij heeft muziekstukken ingespeeld voor diverse muzikanten, wereldwijd. Damian speelt in de bekende bluesrockband De Marcel Scherpenzeel Band, waarmee hij door heel Europa toert. Damian houdt zich eveneens intensief bezig met social media. Hij post regelmatig drumcovers en heeft een groot bereik. Naast het drummen is Damian vanaf 2018 endorser voor Adams Drums en sinds 2023 endorser voor Istanbul Cymbals. Damian is een allround drummer met veel liefde voor het vak, Typerend zijn zijn energie en passie.
Peter Weissink
Peter Weissink is a versatile Dutch drummer whose playing moves effortlessly between jazz, blues, fusion, and pop. Born into a highly musical family, his passion for rhythm began early, first on pots and pans, then on piano at age six. He quickly found his way into marching and street bands, developing a strong snare drum technique and a lifelong love for drumming.
At fourteen, Peter bought his first drum kit, and by fifteen he was already performing in theatre and musical productions. Despite receiving only three formal drum lessons, he forged his own path as a self-taught musician, shaping a distinctive style that spans multiple genres.
His career has taken him from heavier pop, rock, and blues groups to respected wedding bands, orchestras, and recording studios. His repertoire covers everything from classical to funk, and he has accompanied a long list of national and international artists. Known for his musicality, sensitivity, and infectious energy, Peter is equally at home driving a groove, shaping a ballad, or exploring open improvisation.
In addition to performing and recording, Peter is dedicated to music education. He teaches at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Enschede, where his work ranges from drum technique and one-on-one lessons to jazz music history, band coaching for first- and second-year students, third-year original music band coaching, jazz combo training, and rhythmic theory. He also serves as band culture coach at the Popacademie.
Peter’s dedication has been recognized with the 2022 Steve Gadd “Gaddiments” Award, celebrating his exceptional skill and commitment to drumming.
He has performed, toured, and recorded with Hans and Candy Dulfer, Jan Akkerman, Saskia Laroo, Peter O’Mara, Ack van Rooijen, Bart van Lier, Leo Jansen, Peter Tiehuis, Tineke Postma, Alexander Beets, and many others — making him a sought-after collaborator in both live and studio settings.
Current projects include:
- Supermoon – A 70s-style funk band lighting up jazz festivals nationwide.
- Echoes of Four – Peter’s own jazz quartet with Paul Berner, Will Maas, and Folker Tettero.
- Keys & Beats – Also an own groove-driven jazz trio with upright piano, Hammond and drums with Sebastian Altekamp and John Hondorp.
- BORN Trio – Trio I’m in for over 15 years: A vibrant blend of lounge, funk and jazz energy.
- Mark van Mourik Bluesband – Blues infused with funk, jazz, and soulful grit.
- Ruud Weber Band – A powerhouse blues group with a strong improvisational edge.
Whether on stage or in the studio, Peter Weissink delivers passion, precision, and personality in equal measure — always serving the music first.
Gert-Jan Zegel
Misha Zimmermann