André Groen

André Groen studied drums, classical percussion, and Latin percussion at the conservatories of Arnhem and Rotterdam. He studied in New York with the Drummer's Collective and made several trips to Cuba, deepening his knowledge of Latin percussion, specializing in danzón.

André teaches drums and Latin ensembles at the Utrecht Conservatory and percussion and ensembles at the ArtEZ Conservatory in Arnhem. He has played as a drummer in bands with Guus Tangelder, Herman de Wit, Martin van Duynhoven, Leo Cuypers, Vera Vingerhoeds, I Compani, and numerous theater groups.

Previously, André was active as a percussionist in the percussion duo Groen & Flören and in the Gelders Orkest. He has been a member of Orkest de Ereprijs since 1983 and, for several years now, of the international HOP! trio. As a percussionist, André has been active in numerous Latin bands, including Salsaya Big Band, Salsa d’Amsterdam, and Orquesta Tentación (Switzerland). He is the founder and percussionist of the European Danzón Orchestra, with which he has also performed at festivals in Cuba. He currently conducts Orquesta Salsabor and, together with pianist Michiel Braam and bassist Aty de Windt, forms the trio Nos Otrobanda.