The von Kampen Trio began as the von Kampen Brothers in 1999, when David von Kampen (piano, vocals) and his brother Paul (drums, vocals) of Seward, Nebraska, organized years of family jam sessions into a show for their two-man band. They performed in public for the first time in December of '99 at the Cafe and Latte Restaurant in downtown Seward. Armed with one set consisting of Beatles songs, blues jams and holiday favorites, David, age 13, and Paul, 11, played to a full house for over an hour. In July of 2000, they played the first of many July 4th concerts in Seward at the historic Civic Center. Getting more experienced with each performance, the brothers played a variety of shows in the next 3 years, ranging from summer gigs to corporate parties during the school year. Their repertoire consisted mainly of cover songs, ranging from Billy Joel and James Taylor to Rockapella and the Dave Matthews Band. These artists continue to be very obvious influences in the band's style, even as original music is now most prominent in the Trio's set lists.
In the spring of 2003, David and Paul, still the von Kampen Brothers, made their first official recording, Reckless Magnet: 6 songs from the Heartland. The project, recorded with just 5 vocal microphones and produced by David at Concordia University's music computer lab, was copied and distributed solely by David and Paul. The EP (now out of print) featured Seward musician Chris Mackie on bass guitar. 5 of the 6 songs were written by David, and the 6th was written by and featured a longtime friend of the band, Amy Heidemann, on vocals. Pushed along by a glowing review from the Seward County Independent, the Reckless Magnet EP sold over 200 copies in less than a year. Mackie played bass guitar with the band in the summer of 2003, as the Brothers promoted their recording at live shows.
2004 brought an addition to the band, as David and Paul decided to change their duo into a permanent group of three. After a few quick invitation-only jam sessions, Brad Ramp, of Friend, Nebraska, emerged as the official bass guitarist of the von Kampen Trio. Brad offered a high level of energy in his playing style, and his bass guitar gave much-needed depth to the piano-focused sound of the band.
In May of 2004, David and Paul went back to the makeshift studio as a duo to record their first full-length CD project. The result was 40 Miles, a 9-song disc of original music that covers and blends many different musical styles and influences. Beginning to find a sound that was truly their own, the Trio performed music from both 40 Miles and Reckless Magnet at 9 shows in the Summer of 2004. In addition to the original-heavy set lists, two reoccurring, high-energy covers, "From Within" by the Michel Camilo Trio, and Billy Joel's "Angry Young Man" continually popped up in the '04 performances, wowing audiences and leaving them excited for the future of the von Kampen Trio.
And the future is now. David, Paul and Brad have just released their third CD in 3 years, and are performing frequently throughout Nebraska. The Trio is currently still booking shows for the summer of 2005. Contact david@vonkampentrio.com with inquiries.
DAVID VON KAMPEN, Piano/Lead Vocals
David is the oldest member of the band, at 18. He does all of the writing and arranging for the Trio, and has produced both CD projects that the group has worked on to date. David began piano lessons at age 7, and has always been interested in classical composition in addition to his songwriting and performing roles in the band. He has composed for a variety of mediums, played classical and jazz piano, and performed on stage in high school plays and musicals. In his free time, David eats at McDonalds and is an avid supporter of the Michigan Wolverines football team.
To contact David, email david@vonkampentrio.com
PAUL VON KAMPEN, Drums/Backing Vocals
Paul, age 16, has been taking drum lessons for 7 years, and has played for many different groups in and outside high school. In addition to playing with David in the band since 1999, Paul has played drum set in the high school jazz band, percussion in the Seward Community Concert Band, sung in the 2003 Nebraska All-State Choir and, as legend has it, once filled in on drums for the Seward High School swing choir at a competition with his right arm in a cast. In addition to the drums, he has learned to play a wide variety of percussion instruments, including timpani and mallets. Paul's main role in the Trio, besides percussion and background vocals, is to leave as many candy wrappers as he possibly can strewn about his drum set.
To contact Paul, email paul@vonkampentrio.com
BRAD "B-RAD" RAMP, Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals
Brad, 18, joined the Trio in the spring of 2004, and brings a high level of energy to the band. Brad's stellar career as a high school athlete also brings some much-needed athleticism to the Trio. As the bass guitarist, his instrument adds depth to the piano-driven sound of the band. In the last 3 years, Brad has been the principle bassist in the Nebraska Class C All-State Jazz Band, and has sung in the All-State Choir twice. Also still in high school, Brad sings in choir, plays in band, and claims that he is a starter in 3 different sports.
It is a nice, typical midwestern town. There's a lot to be said for them, although I sometimes wonder how many of the smaller midwestern towns will survive. Everyone seems to be moving to the big cities, and as farming becomes more of an industry, there is less and less to keep people in the smaller towns.
Finally got a chance to listen more closely to some of their stuff. I really like the way they incorporate the keyboard and get kind of a pop-jazz sound.
good i am glad you found the time and that you liked them!! you should contact them any maybe get a CD! or i could maybe get one for you if you want!! Let me know!!
