Dirk Zandvliet

"I came across SYOS being picked up by saxophonists on social media and when visiting Paris as a sideman for Michelle David & the Gospel Sessions back in 2018 I had to try one for myself! My pink mouthpiece has been an eye (and ear) catcher ever since and serves me really well for the heavy riff-based music that I make. It has loads of power, attack and I can channel so much energy through it. I consider myself more of a rhythm saxophonist than a solist and SYOS mouthpieces helped contribute greatly to the vision I have for my sound. I finally secured a mouthpiece for my bass saxophone this year and look forward to create some brass band noise on it!"

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Dirk Zandvliet is a Dutch multi instrumentalist born in Amsterdam. Coming from an artistic family with parents that were active in theatre group Dogtroep, his first gig was at the steps of the Sacre-Coeur in Paris at the tender age of eight with his family. When his brother started playing trombone in Jungle by Night, Dirk switched to baritone saxophone and founded brass band Gallowstreet, which continues to be a consistent source of inspiration to the international scene of brass band musicians.

Delving deeper into nightlife and exploring the sonic possibilities of hard-riffs and never ending staccato's, Dirk also established the electronic/live hybrid trio Brass Rave Unit. Having had no formal music training Dirk has developed his own sound and built his practical know-how through his artistic outlets. Dirk is a touring musician at heart, but can be found teaching social sciences at his local high school and developing his own brass band with youngsters on the weekdays.