Kala Artist
Frank de Kleer
(Duo De Kleer)
Frank de Kleer (1969, The Netherlands) has been studying and playing gypsy & traditional music since he was 10. The beauty of traditional melodies and rhythms, the virtuosity and freedom of gypsy music has a never ending source of inspiration.
Frank traveled the world as a musician and magician. He accompanied the Belgian chansonnière Micheline Van Hautem for 8 years in her Jacques Brel and Edith Piaf program, with whom he won the Fringe Award in Edinburgh. With his Spanish group he played several times for the Dutch Royal family. Frank has performed gypsy and traditional music on many stages. Since 2013, Frank and his family have run their own theater in Vianen, The Netherlands, where many internationally-known artists perform.
In 2017 Frank and his 2 sons made a cd with gypsy & traditional music on ukuleles and guitar. https://youtu.be/ycaopWj955o
Frank and his son(s) (Trio De Kleer) have played many stages, parties and festivals like the Berliner Ukulele Festival (DL), Czech Ukulele Festival (CZ), International Bavarian - Bohemian Ukulele Day (DL), UkeStock, Dutch Ukulele Day and GypsyRootsFestival (NL).
As ukulele players Frank and his son Miguel (Duo De Kleer) focus especially on the right hand. With some techniques from flamenco or Latin, you can give just a few chords totally new meaning. Melodically, Django Reinhardt and Balkan music are an important inspiration.
