" Music has played a big part in a lot of big social events, music can unite people, so I hope it keeps doing that."

Bob Fridzema: Let The Groove Time Roll

Growing up and playing gigs all over the Netherlands, Bob Fridzema became an experienced player on the Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Clavinet, Wurlitzer, Synths and Piano - on stage and in studio's. After making his way into the British blues scene, he is grateful to be able to tour the world with various artists from the USA and UK. Bob worked on tour with Glenn Hughes, and has recorded and performed all over the world with Walter Trout, Bernard Allison, Bernie Marsden, Devon Allman, Elles Bailey, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Sari Schorr, King King, Dana Fuchs, Aynsley Lister, Ben Poole, Eric Steckl, Case Mayfield, John Klaver, Rigby, Boris van der Lek, Stefan Schill - and many more.

(Bob Fridzema / Photo © by Rockrpix Photography)

Bob Fridzema, born in the Netherlands in 1983, started playing at a young age, on keyboards and piano until his first Hammond organ was bought at the age of 14. After graduating the Rotterdam Conservatory in 2007 he released an album with Dutch pop band Rigby for Universal, played all the major festivals and TV - and radioshows in the Netherlands which landed Bob his endorsement with Hammond – a brand he'd been playing for more then a decade already. Bob joined the band of Stefan Schill and released his first album under the Provogue/Mascot label. Bob's new project band The Addition are Johnny Griparic on bass, Bob Fridzema on keys, and Jakob Rønlov on drums.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues/Rock music influenced your views of the world? What is the role of Blues/Rock in today's society?

I don't know how much it changed the views I had, but it has allowed me to see a lot of the world and in general it has shown me that we are all much more alike than we are different from each other.

The role of blues rock... difficult question. In a way I think the genre is getting less significant in today's society - nobody is looking at a blues rock act for their views and solutions on the world's problems.

The days of big (blues) rock bands with a lot of influence are behind us perhaps, with a few exceptions of course. But the ones pulling the most people at gigs, are bands that had their hits a long time ago. Having said that, a guy like Bonamassa for example, seems to be doing better than ever and is doing great work for the entire scene.

How do you describe your sound and music philosophy? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

Getting emotions and feelings across is the essence of it for me, although it's hard to describe it in words. I try and approach it from a visceral sense, since I feel that's how music connects with me, and I like to think that's how it connects with people in general. Music is a primal experience - you feel a good groove, music sometimes just makes you move, music can make you grunt. Or cry...

Technique, and any intellectual ways of approaching music should only be used to facilitate getting emotions and the primal experience of music across more easily.

"There's so much good music out there, and so many good players. Many good things are coming out these days, that are inspired by the past. Some eras just come and go, like the summer of love, Woodstock and all the music from the 70's. Amazing, but we had and have all that and luckily, I still see people now, tap into something real, something that I connect with emotionally and when that happens, I don't miss anything from the past." (Organ and keyboard player Bob Fridzema / Photo © by Paul Scholman)

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Wow, so many. I started when I was 7 when I saw a kid play keyboards somewhere in town. I don't remember it, but my parents did, and I think from the moment I got a little starter keyboard I haven't stopped playing. So, I have to say that was the biggest, but then of course growing older, at some point you kind of decide that this is it - this is what I'm gonna do and I'm gonna give it my all.

That moment came for me when I started university at 18 to study IT and realised I hated it. Dropped out, and went full time musician instead.

The third big one for me was touring. From the first international tour I did, hanging out with fellow musicians, getting to know people I looked up to for years, and seeing all these amazing countries I've been to now - I knew that I wanted more of that, and still do.

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you'd like to share with us?

So many, I don't even know where to start. Just the other night in Sao Paolo, Brazil we were joined on stage by Chad Smith of the RHCP. That was pretty special.

I've done a few gigs, festivals and cruises, where you get to hang with great musicians and even legends sometimes. The first one I did had Peter Frampton on the bill, Eric Gales, I hung out with Robert Randolph and his band, and all these musicians are people I only knew from listening to records. And here I am hanging and we're jamming..!

I got to know Bernie Marsden (from Whitesnake), and tour and record with him, the blues legend Walter Trout, and now I'm in South America with Glenn Hughes. Still making memories everyday, and grateful to be able to do that.

"Getting emotions and feelings across is the essence of it for me, although it's hard to describe it in words. I try and approach it from a visceral sense, since I feel that's how music connects with me, and I like to think that's how it connects with people in general. Music is a primal experience - you feel a good groove, music sometimes just makes you move, music can make you grunt. Or cry... Technique, and any intellectual ways of approaching music should only be used to facilitate getting emotions and the primal experience of music across more easily." (Bob Fridzema & Glenn Hughes / Photo © by Laurence Harvey)

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Oh, it's hard to say anything about that. There's so much good music out there, and so many good players. Many good things are coming out these days, that are inspired by the past. Some eras just come and go, like the summer of love, Woodstock and all the music from the 70's. Amazing, but we had and have all that and luckily, I still see people now, tap into something real, something that I connect with emotionally and when that happens, I don't miss anything from the past.

I hope people keep playing music, but I think they will. Mankind has always made music; it just transforms and that's how it is.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I don't really know how to answer that. Music has played a big part in a lot of big social events, music can unite people, so I hope it keeps doing that.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

That we are way more alike than we are different. In a society that seems to be very polarised these days I hope we remember that. 

Do you think there is an audience for Blues/Rock music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

100%. Look at all the bands that are out there doing it right now. I see young kids on Instagram and YouTube playing guitars, drums, keys - everything, all the time. I'm not worried.

Bob Fridzema - Home

(Bob Fridzema / Photo © by svn pht)