Maine · New Hampshire · Boston · New York

The van Voorst

Jazz Group

Twenty years of live jazz across New England — from intimate organ-drums duos to straight-ahead groups with the hard, searching sounds of the 60s and 70s.

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20+
Years Performing
4
States Served
100+
Venues & Events
30+
Years of Mastery
"The goal is to make everyone else sound better and lift the music to a higher level."
— Jan van Voorst

The Story

Thirty Years of
Musical Dialogue

Jan van Voorst has been a musician and drummer in the New England area for over 30 years, leading his own groups and performing as a sideman across jazz, funk, and rock. The van Voorst Jazz group has taken many forms over the last 20 years — from organ-drums driven duos and small straight-ahead groups to outside jazz with hints of the hard sounds of the 60s and 70s.

Jan has worked and recorded with luminaries including Steve Shapiro (Steely Dan), Alex Foster (Miles Davis, Saturday Night Live), Oliver Lake, and Curtis Clark. His own recordings can be found on the Ludington/van Voorst record "Listening Post".

Notable Collaborations

Steely DanMiles DavisSaturday Night LiveOliver LakeCurtis Clark
Jan van Voorst performing live

What We Offer

Services & Offerings

Jazz Performances

Live Performance

Jazz Performances

From intimate duo sets to full jazz ensembles, the van Voorst Jazz Group brings authentic live jazz to venues, restaurants, private events, and festivals across Maine, New Hampshire, Boston, and New York.

  • Duo, trio & full group formats
  • Straight-ahead to avant-garde
  • Private events & corporate bookings
  • Restaurant & venue residencies
Drum Lessons

Instruction

Drum Lessons

Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced student, Jan offers personalized drum lessons tailored to your goals. Covering technique, independence, rudiments, groove, and improvisation across all styles.

  • Beginner to advanced students
  • Jazz, rock, funk & blues styles
  • Technique, rudiments & reading
  • Musical ear & improvisation

Drumming Philosophy

"Musical drumming requires a high level of skill, creativity and sensitivity. A musical drummer does not just keep time but listens to create a musical dialogue with the other musicians and the song."
— Jan van Voorst

Shows & Performances

Live Performances

Catch the van Voorst Jazz Group performing across Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond. From intimate jazz clubs to special venues, experience live jazz at its finest.

Sat
5/10

Blue Note Tribute with MCQ

7 pm – 8:30 pm
One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME
Jan van Voorst – Drums, with MCQ
Wed
5/20

Blue – Bess Jacques & The Strays

7 pm – 8:30 pm
650A Congress Street, Portland, ME
Bess Jacques – Piano/Vox, Duane Edwards – Bass, Tracy McMullen – Sax/Flute, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Thurs
5/21

Portland Lobster Company – Fiasco Brothers

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Commercial Street, Portland, ME
Charlie Schmidt – Guitar/Vox, Steve Jones – Guitar, Scott Elliot – Bass, Ben Trout – Mando, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Fri
5/22

Medicini – The Fiasco Bros

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
52 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME
Charlie Schmidt – Guitar/Vox, Steve Jones – Guitar, Scott Elliot – Bass, Ben Trout – Mando, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Sun
6/7

Portland Lobster Company – Fiasco Brothers

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Commercial Street, Portland, ME
Charlie Schmidt – Guitar/Vox, Steve Jones – Guitar, Scott Elliot – Bass, Ben Trout – Mando, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Tue
6/17

Blue – Bess Jacques & The Strays

7 pm – 8:30 pm
650A Congress Street, Portland, ME
Bess Jacques – Piano/Vox, Duane Edwards – Bass, Tracy McMullen – Sax/Flute, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Thurs
6/19

Portland Lobster Company – Fiasco Brothers

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Commercial Street, Portland, ME
Charlie Schmidt – Guitar/Vox, Steve Jones – Guitar, Scott Elliot – Bass, Ben Trout – Mando, Jan van Voorst – Drums
Fri
6/26

Medicini – The Fiasco Bros

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
52 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME
Charlie Schmidt – Guitar/Vox, Steve Jones – Guitar, Scott Elliot – Bass, Ben Trout – Mando, Jan van Voorst – Drums

Watch

Live Performances

Experience the van Voorst Jazz Group in action. Watch live performances and get a taste of the energy and musicianship that defines our sound.

Full Performance

Performance Highlight

Live Moment

Performance

Listen

Original Recordings

Explore the van Voorst Jazz Group's original compositions and recordings. Experience the musicianship and creativity that define our sound.

I'm Beginning To See The Light

Bess Jacques & The Strays

Drummer

Origami

Bess Jacques & The Strays

Composer & Drummer

Smile Factor

Ludington-van Voorst Quartet

Composer & Drummer

0

Rob Eberhard Young

Drummer

What Students Say

Voices from the Studio

"
As an adult beginner, I was worried that I would be frustrating to teach. Jan is the most patient music teacher I've ever had. He is able to give insightful feedback, customize assignments, and provide pertinent instruction on the fly. Additionally, he is able to pull from a deep knowledge of music and apply it to keep the lessons interesting. Jan is authentic, thoughtful, and reliable. At every lesson I feel encouraged, successful, and happy to be there.
A

Anika

June 2023

"
Jan is a true gem. He is a devoted teacher, consummate musician, and passionate person. Jan has a unique style: innovative and open, but deeply rooted in the tradition of jazz and its regional expression in New England. His pedagogy is rigorous, while his personality is playful. You can hear this in his music: very controlled, but wide ranging. He's a great rock and pop teacher as well.
J

Jackson

June 2023

Van Voorst Jazz Group performing live
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Get in Touch

Book a Show or
Start Lessons

Whether you're looking to book the van Voorst Jazz Group for your venue, private event, or festival — or you're ready to begin your drumming journey — reach out and Jan will get back to you promptly.

Service Area

Maine · New Hampshire · Boston, MA · New York, NY

Jan typically responds within 24 hours.