Thijs Van Leer

Thijs (pronounced “tays”) father was a classical flautist in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and encouraged his son to learn it also, giving him a flute at age 11.

Van Leer went on to get a strong musical education studying at both conservatories as well as with private teachers

He studied Flute, Piano, Orchestration, and Organ, and eventually received a degree in flute

Thijs once played piano in his own Jazz group

What would eventually become the band FOCUS, started out as a cover band who did songs by British blues rock band TRAFFIC

After FOCUS broke up, Van Leer worked and toured with sevearl artists and released a solo albums

 

 

At 4:17, Thijs switches from flute to Hammond solo on their most famous tune “Hocus-Pocus”, but plays both instruments throughout concert