As a little man I was completely blown away by the Disney animated movie 'The Aristocats.' In particular, the music. What a 'swing' it had! I wanted that too. Instead of the expected electric trainset I asked a piano and pianos lessons from my parents. I got them both. The piano was a heavy Hungarian beast from 1903 that had seen better days. I was over the moon with it.

I soon started playing in a variety of bands and ensembles, and tinkering at my own songs.

As a young man I continued the tinkering at the Rotterdam Conservatory of music.