Van Kleef are music fans – who happen to play it rather well too. They’re one big happy family and put a good deal of effort into choosing the right songs to play for you and making sure they’re well rehearsed. Here is a little bit about them.
Emma van Kleef – Lead Vocals
Vocalist and amateur percussionist, Emma, started on Spanish classical guitar – but lets not talk about that! Making the move to singing was a revelation and she, literally found her voice. A previous lead singer for originals band Ashen Sky, Emma still collaborates with the members now and then. If you’re luck, you can spot Emma at open mics or showcase events in Edinburgh and Glasgow as one half of the acoustic duo Twa’ or sometimes solo! If you’re even luckier, you can hear her belting out the lead vocals for the amazing Van Kleef, a band which Emma feels she has found her musical home!
Additionally, Emma has become quite attached to her ukulele and braves the odd solo set every now and then. She just loves to sing everything and anything and will take a crack at the majority of tunes put in front of her. Classic Emma!
Steve van Kleef – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Steve has been playing guitar for as long as he can remember – that might be a long time. Steve’s first band was an obscure 70s Glam Rock band with even more obscure lyrics. Fast forward to the 90s, Steve was a founding member of the legendary Dead Parrot Society. Many more bands followed entertaining pub and party-goers all over Scotland. Steve’s calmness is stuff of legend and you’ll never see him upset, preferring just not to talk about it.
Steve’s influences Carlos Santana and Peter Green and he is a fabulous guitar player – his solos are quite good and he does awfully well! Career highlights include playing for the closing party at The Tall Ships in Edinburgh in 1995 – that was a blast! Steve also loves a wedding and has more fun than is legal when we perform for happy couples!
Jim van Kleef – Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Multi-instrumentalist Jim has a long history of playing in bands and this goes back to playing with Steve in the Dead Parrot Society. From rock n’ roll, funk, soul and blues, Jim has done it all. Equally happy on bass (electric or upright) and saxophone, Jim brings a huge amount of expertise to Van Kleef (although he can’t play both at the same time, tsk!)
But, he’s bloomin’ brilliant, keeping the bottom end tight in his instantly recognisable leather jacket and cap. Jim also lends his voice to backing vocals, ensuring that the legendary Van Kleef sound goes on and on. Genius!
Scott van Kleef – Drums and Lead Vocals
Van Kleef’s drummer, backing singer, sound man and van driver, Scott has been playing drums since he was 11. In demand for various school bands, a few original bands followed, like the memorable Answers on a Postcard. In his youth, the aim was rock stardom but the need to earn money meant finding a proper job. Drumming then became a lifelong love.
Scott’s influences range from Phil Collins, Stewart Copeland right through to jazzers like Vinnie Colaiuta, Manu Katche and he admits to stealing more than one fill from Liberty Divito. Scott also plays ukulele (quite well) and bass guitar (quite badly) and is an active member of The Cheesetown Ukulele Band. Outside of Van Kleef, you can occasionally catch Scott arranging Open Mic Nights and bothering people with his ukulele playing.