Born in the year 1982, Govert is still in his early twenties but has already found his way to the blues at this young age. Although starting at the age of 7 as a classical piano player he couldnt resist pop music when he reached the age of 12. At that time he started playing drums in his first band and before he knew it he was playing at least four times a week. Next to playing the drums he became interested in African and Brazilian music and started to study percussion while in the mean time he was still maintaining his piano skills by practising pop music as well as a little bit of blues every now and then.
At the age of 17 he entered the conservatory in The Hague for a study at the School Music department, where he first came in touch with the music of New Orleans, blues, soul, jazz and funk. Aged 21 he bought a Fender Rhodes and a Hammond Organ and began playing the blues. Because of his young age, and because most piano players in New Orleans are called Professor or Doctor, he soon got nicknamed "Professor Benjamin".
Right after he finished the conservatory at the age of 22 he was asked to join Flavium, one of Hollands best known blues bands. Just a few weeks later he did his first tour when he toured Europe with The Backbones and Monster Mike Welch.
At the moment he is playing the blues most of the time, turning every place he plays at upside down. Though he always plays in service of the song or the fronting artist, other musicians joke about warning Govert to protect him from breaking down his organ during his passionate and fiery solos!
Besides playing the blues with Flavium and The Backbones Govert works as a freelance piano/organ/Fender Rhodes player/drummer/percussionist and plays in a dance band called Phil Martin, in which he plays more jazz oriented piano styles on the piano and Fender Rhodes.
Govert is influenced by great jazz players like Herbie Hancock, Rob van Bavel, Miles Davis and Art Blakey, as well as great blues, soul and funk players like Dr. John, Rob Geboers, Booker T, James Booker, James Brown, Bruce Katz and Ray Charles.
Equipment: 1977 Fender Rhodes Piano, 1996 Fender Blues DeVille 4 x 10, some old effects, 1950s Hammond M3 Organ (the baby B3) Flightcased by Musifix, 145 Leslie cabinet, Roland A90 piano. On Smaller gigs a Hammond XB-1 with the 145 Leslie and the XLD-1 pre-amplifier; "believe me it sounds great!".
