Camel headlining Saturday night at Ramblin Man 2015 - 20071862666

Ton Scherpenzeel (born 6 August 1952) is a Dutch

keyboardist A keyboardist or keyboard player is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instr ...

, composer, lyricist, and founding member of

progressive rock Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. Init ...

band

Kayak A kayak is a small, narrow watercraft which is typically propelled by means of a double-bladed paddle. The word kayak originates from the Greenlandic word ''qajaq'' (). The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each se ...

, together with

Pim Koopman Wilhelmus Frederikus "Pim" Koopman (11 March 1953 – 23 November 2009) was a Dutch musician best known as the drummer and percussionist of rock band Kayak. Biography Born in Hilversum, Koopman co-founded Kayak in 1972, along with Ton Sche ...

and

Max Werner Max Werner (born 29 December 1953 in Hilversum) is a Dutch vocalist, musician, and drummer. He was the lead singer, drummer, and percussionist of the progressive art rock band Kayak. In 1972, Werner co-founded the band along with keyboard ...

whom he met whilst at the Hilversum Muziek Lyceum (Hilversum College of Music). Scherpenzeel is the only Kayak member who has played on every Kayak album. Apart from composing the music, writing lyrics, and playing keyboards, he also plays accordion, occasional bass guitar ''(for instance on the entire Nostradamus album)'' and double bass. He also provides backing vocals and sings lead vocals on the song "Love's Aglow" on the original Merlin album. In 2021,

released their 18th studio album, '''Out of This World'.'' Ton announced Nov/2021, that Kayak will embark on their 'Farewell Tour' ''(Spring/2022)'' throughout countries: The Netherlands, England, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. This will take place during the 50-year anniversary of the band. He did not rule out the possibility of occasional reunion performances. ''Scherpenzeel has a notable

fear of flying Fear of flying is a fear of being on an airplane, or other flying vehicle, such as a helicopter, while in flight. It is also referred to as flying anxiety, flying phobia, flight phobia, aviophobia, aerophobia, or pteromechanophobia (although ae ...

, that has limited his touring to the European continent..'' Subsequent to Kayak, Scherpenzeel was also occasional keyboardist of

Camel A camel (from: la, camelus and grc-gre, κάμηλος (''kamēlos'') from Hebrew or Phoenician: גָמָל ''gāmāl''.) is an even-toed ungulate in the genus ''Camelus'' that bears distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on its back. C ...

, a British Progressive Rock band. Ton was the keyboardist on several Camel albums: ''Stationary Traveller'' (1984), ''Pressure Points: Live in Concert'' (1984), ''

Dust and Dreams ''Dust and Dreams'' is the eleventh studio album by Camel. Released in 1991 after a seven-year hiatus during which Andrew Latimer and Susan Hoover moved from England to California to set up their own Camel Productions label, the album was insp ...

'' (1991), ''

Rajaz Rajaz (, literally 'tremor, spasm, convulsion as may occur in the behind of a camel when it wants to rise') is a metre used in classical Arabic poetry. A poem composed in this metre is an ''urjūza''. The metre accounts for about 3% of surviving ...

'' (1999) and he performed live on Camel's 2003 Farewell Tour. He also played several years with

Earth and Fire Earth and Fire were a Dutch rock and pop band. Formed in the Netherlands by twin brothers Chris and Gerard Koerts, and most popular from 1970, after adding a female singer, turning frontwoman, Jerney Kaagman. Earth and Fire's first eight si ...

. In addition to his association with Progressive rock bands, Ton Scherpenzeel has made a name for himself in the theater and film scene in the Netherlands as composer/producer of multiple musical productions. In 1980, Scherpenzeel wrote the score for the Dutch movie ''

Spetters ''Spetters'' (English translation: ''Splashes'') is a Dutch film released in 1980 and directed by Paul Verhoeven. The film follows the lives of three young men who have little in common but their love for dirt-bike racing. Set on the outskirts ...

'', featuring

Rutger Hauer Rutger Oelsen Hauer (; 23 January 1944 – 19 July 2019) was a Dutch actor. In 1999, he was named by the Dutch public as the Best Dutch Actor of the Century. Hauer's career began in 1969 with the title role in the Dutch television series ' ...

. From 1990 - 2012 he composed the musical score for more than 50 musicals fo
JEUGDTHEATER HOFPLEIN
includin
'Bolle Boos''Kruimeltje''Robin Hood'
In addition several musical scores for the theate
OPUS ONE
includin
'Peter Pan''Jungle Book''Alice in Wonderland'
an
more
In 2005, Jeugdtheater Hofplein, Rotterdam celebrated 20-year anniversary. The performance was attended by

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands Beatrix (Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard, ; born 31 January 1938) is a member of the Dutch royal house who reigned as Queen of the Netherlands from 1980 until her abdication in 2013. Beatrix is the eldest daughter of Queen Juliana and her husba ...

, who met with the actors, musicians and composer
(Scherpenzeel-photo)
' after the performance. Since 1984 till present, Scherpenzeel is credited with composing almost all music behind songs of Dutch comedian

Youp van 't Hek Joseph Jacobus Maria "Youp" van 't Hek (born 28 February 1954) is a Dutch comedian, author, columnist, singer-songwriter, playwright, and critic. Biography Van 't Hek was born and raised in the Gooi, an upper-class region to the southeast o ...

. Ton is scheduled to perform with Youp van 't Hek in many live theater shows for
De Laatste Ronde
' tour, 2022 through 2024. Ton's first solo album (1978) was an adaptation of ''

Le carnaval des animaux ''The Carnival of the Animals'' (''Le Carnaval des animaux'') is a humorous musical suite of fourteen movements, including " The Swan", by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The work, about 25 minutes in duration, was written for priva ...

'' by French

classical music Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...

composer

Camille Saint-Saëns Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (; 9 October 183516 December 1921) was a French composer, organist, conductor and pianist of the Romantic music, Romantic era. His best-known works include Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (1863), the Piano C ...

. His second solo album, ''Heart of the Universe'' (with singer

Chris Rainbow Christopher James Harley, known by the stage name Chris Rainbow (18 November 1946 – 22 February 2015), was a Scottish pop rock singer and musician whose songs "Give Me What I Cry For" and "Solid State Brain" were often played by British radio ...

), came in 1984 and is a combination of instrumental and vocal tracks. In 1991, Scherpenzeel released his third solo album ''Virgin Grounds'', under the pseudonym Orion. In 1998 he played a synth solo on the song "Cosmic Fusion", from

Ayreon Ayreon is a musical project by Dutch songwriter, singer, musician and record producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon's music is described as progressive rock, progressive metal and power metal sometimes combined with genres such as folk, electro ...

's album ''

Into the Electric Castle ''Into the Electric Castle – A Space Opera'' is the third album of the progressive metal project Ayreon by Dutch songwriter, producer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Released in 1998, it was the band's first double a ...

'', a

rock opera A rock opera is a collection of rock music songs with lyrics that relate to a common story. Rock operas are typically released as concept albums and are not scripted for acting, which distinguishes them from operas, although several have been ad ...

on which

Edward Reekers Edward Reekers (born 24 May 1957, in Hengelo) is a Dutch singer and voice actor. Most notable is his work as lead singer for Dutch progressive rock band Kayak. Having been a fan of the band for years, Reekers joined Kayak in 1978. He replaced M ...

, also of Kayak, played one of the main roles. In 2013 Scherpenzeel released his fourth solo CD, ''The Lion's Dream''. 2021: VELVET ARMOUR, the fifth solo album from Ton Scherpenzeel, was released vi
Friendly Folk Records
an independent label located in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Ton said in an interview with

Irish Music Magazine ''Irish Music'' is a monthly music magazine covering folk and traditional Irish music Irish music is music that has been created in various genres on the island of Ireland. The indigenous music of the island is termed Irish traditional musi ...

/ (Nov/2021) that he was dubious about releasing an album like Velvet Armour commercially, and had considered releasing demos for free. When he made that statement on social media he was approached by owner of Friendly Folk Records, Kathy Keller, who said she would be interested in releasing the album on her folk label. Ton mentioned that he loved Keller's dedication and enthusiasm and he signed with her label. He also told journalist Sean Laffey during the interview, '''I know I am not your typical folk artist but there are strong similarities and connections to that style'.'' The eighteen-track album reflects the essence of the Medieval Renaissance era, with a blend of Baroque Folk and Prgressive Rock Ballads. The album also includes an old Kayak number, 'My Heart Never Changed', originally released on the album, ''

Royal Bed Bouncer ''Royal Bed Bouncer'' is the third album by Dutch progressive rock band Kayak, released in 1975. Their progressive approach from the first two albums was mixed with a more basic pop/rock sound. Nine of the ten songs were written by Ton Scherpenz ...

(1975).'' The album artwork for VELVET ARMOUR was created by, Hen
Philhelmon
Bol. VELVET ARMOUR features guest musicians from Dutch folk scene: Rens van der Zalm on fiddle, Annette Visser on flute (ex-

Flairck Flairck was a Dutch musical ensemble formed in 1978 by guitar virtuoso Erik Visser.Eelco SchildeFolk World, Old World with New Sound – Dutch folk band Flairck discovers new ground Folkworld.de. Retrieved on 2013-07-23. and multi-instrumenta ...

); and on the classical side of Velvet Armour: violinist Maria-Paula Majoor with the Matangi String Quartet. Backing vocals: Irene Linders; Lead vocals, music, lyrics, arrangement, production, and all remaining instruments were by Ton Scherpenzeel. 2022: VELVET ARMOUR was longlisted for Best Album; and the single (track 2), 'River To The Sea' was longlisted on th
Celtcast Fantasy Awards
''(a music competition for Folk genre music).''

Discography

Solo

* ''Le carnaval des animaux'' (1978) * ''Heart of the Universe'' (1984) * ''Virgin Grounds'' (1991, under the pseudonym Orion) * ''The Lion's Dream'' (2013) * ''Velvet Armour'' (2021)

Studio albums with Kayak

* '' See See the Sun'' (1973) * '' Kayak II'' (1974) * ''

'' (1975) * ''

The Last Encore ''The Last Encore'' is the fourth album by the Dutch progressive rock band Kayak. It was originally released by Mercury Records in 1976 and issued on CD in 1995, with a re-release by Universal in 2002. The songs "Still My Heart Cries For You" and ...

'' (1976) * ''

Starlight Dancer ''Starlight Dancer'' is a 1977 album by Dutch progressive rock band Kayak (band), Kayak. It was produced by Jack Lancaster and Kayak. The North American release is very different from the original Dutch/European release with the same title. In fa ...

'' (1977) * ''

Phantom of the Night Phantom of the Night is the sixth studio album by Dutch Progressive rock band Kayak. "Ruthless Queen" was released as a single, becoming the band's biggest hit, nearing the top of the charts in the Netherlands. In the United States, the LP (with ...

'' (1979) * ''

Periscope Life ''Periscope Life'' is the seventh album by the Dutch progressive rock band Kayak, originally released on LP in 1980. The first CD issue (1993) had 2 bonus tracks. In 1998, the album (without the bonus tracks) was part of the Double CD ''3 Origina ...

'' (1980) * ''

Merlin Merlin ( cy, Myrddin, kw, Marzhin, br, Merzhin) is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a mage, with several other main roles. His usual depiction, based on an amalgamation of historic and le ...

'' (1981) * '' Eyewitness'' (1981) (live album) * '' Close to the Fire'' (2000) * ''

Night Vision Night vision is the ability to see in low-light conditions, either naturally with scotopic vision or through a night-vision device. Night vision requires both sufficient spectral range and sufficient intensity range. Humans have poor night vi ...

'' (2001) * ''

Merlin – Bard of the Unseen ''Merlin - Bard Of The Unseen'' is the 11th studio album by the Dutch progressive rock band Kayak. This concept-album is a new version of side 1 of their 1981 album '' Merlin'', with nine new songs added. At concerts in 2003, the band played this ...

'' (2003) * '' Nostradamus – The Fate of Man'' (2005) (double CD) * ''

Coming Up for Air ''Coming Up for Air'' is the seventh book by English writer George Orwell, published in June 1939 by Victor Gollancz. It was written between 1938 and 1939 while Orwell spent time recuperating from illness in French Morocco, mainly in Marrakesh. ...

'' (2008) * '' Letters from Utopia'' (2009) (double CD) * ''Anywhere but Here'' (2011) * ''Cleopatra – The Crown of Isis'' (2014) (double CD) * ''

Seventeen Seventeen or 17 may refer to: *17 (number), the natural number following 16 and preceding 18 * one of the years 17 BC, AD 17, 1917, 2017 Literature Magazines * ''Seventeen'' (American magazine), an American magazine * ''Seventeen'' (Japanese m ...

'' (2018) * '' Out Of This World'' (2021)

With Earth and Fire

* ''Phoenix'' (1989)

With Camel

* ''

Stationary Traveller ''Stationary Traveller'' is the tenth studio album by English progressive rock band Camel. Like much of Camel's output, it is a concept album, in this case centering on the trials of East German refugees attempting to cross the Berlin Wall fro ...

'' (1984) * ''

Pressure Points derive from the supposed meridian points in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Indian Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, and martial arts. They refer to areas on the human body that may produce significant pain or other effects when manipulated in a speci ...

'' (1984, live) * ''

'' (1991) * '' Rajaz (album)'' (1999)

With others

* ''

'' (1998, with

)

References

External links

Ton Scherpenzeel website

Camel website

Kayak website

Earth & Fire website

Friendly Folk Records website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scherpenzeel, Ton 1952 births Living people Dutch keyboardists People from Hilversum Camel (band) members Earth and Fire members Kayak (band) members Progressive rock keyboardists