Tim Kliphuis

Classically trained and widely regarded as “the successor to Stéphane Grappelli”, Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis breathes new life into existing styles with a high-energy blend of classical, gypsy jazz and folk music. His improvised sound is totally new and appeals to a wide range of audiences and yet is steeped in tradition. Tim’s trio’s electrifying performances have made them firm favourites on the festival scene. Highlights include the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, North Sea and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals, Richard Strauss Festival and Fiddles On Fire.

Tim first made his name playing with the fiery European gypsy guitarists, then fine-tuned his personal style which has subsequently taken him to classical, jazz and folk venues around the world. The Richard Strauss Festival in Bavaria was the first to commission Tim’s trademark improvisations on classical music, which now include Bach (Brandenburg), Vivaldi (The Gypsy Seasons), Vaughan Williams, Britten and many others. Tim has shared the stage with legends Frankie Gavin, Richard Galliano, Fapy Lafertin and Les Paul and has been lauded for his musical genius by Nigel Kennedy. He is still in touch with the traditional Sinti gypsies through regular performances with The Rosenberg Trio. Most recently, Tim has been touring his composition The Five Elements, a look at our planet climate change through the medium of multi-genre music.

Very much in demand as an educator, Tim is the author of best-selling book Stéphane Grappelli Gypsy Jazz Violin, the much-praised Hot Jazz Violin DVDs and Jazz Etudes on video. His workshops have been featured at festivals, conservatoires and summer courses in the USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Switzerland, Japan and throughout Europe. Tim holds the jazz violin chair at Tilburg Conservatoire and hosts an annual sell-out Grappelli Camp back home in the Netherlands every August.