Who am I and how did I end up in Gent?
I’m Jaco De Wet, a 40-year-old musician from South Africa who recently moved to Belgium to marry his childhood friend and neighbour. We lost touch for many years after she moved back to Belgium as a teenager, but circumstance brought us together again.
Being able to work as a full-time musician for over 20 years has been an incredible privilege. During that time, I founded a drum school and sound technician business, gaining valuable experience along the way.
Now, I find myself in Gent, a musically gifted and creatively vibrant city, ready to embark on an exciting new challenge. I look forward to immersing myself in the local music scene and collaborating with talented artists. It’s an exciting new chapter in my life, and I’m ready to see where it takes me.
Professional background and experience
For more than 28 years, I’ve seen the music industry from all angles as a drummer, bassist, producer, composer and sound engineer.
From the foundational training phases of performance to the latest technological production sides, my vision was to create a portal to share the knowledge and skills acquired through the years. I established EDUDrums in South Africa around 2003 specifically for drum kit and bass guitar tuition, but since then, it grew into a hub for creating, learning and guidance.
EDUDrums not only educates, but provides services related to the production and reproduction of music. A brief overview includes:
- recording, mixing and mastering;
- composition, transcription and editing; and
- live sound reinforcement for bands and functions
EDUDrums also assists with the tuning and maintenance of drum kit and hand percussion instruments.
Company Overview
- Drum Kit and Bass Guitar Education
- Session Artist
- Drum Technician
- Drum Maintenance
- Sound Engineer
- Mixing and Recording Engineer
- Hardware Rental
- Drum Circles
Additional info / CV:
Education:
2004 Trinity College Grade 8 Drum Kit
2005 Trinity College Performance Certificate Drum Kit
2006 Trinity College Grade 6 Orchestral Percussion
2007 Trinity College Grade 7 Orchestral Percussion
2007 Trinity College ATCL Diploma on Drum kit
2009 Trinity College/RockSchool Grade 8 Electric Bass Guitar
2010 UFS BMus Jazz Arrangement and Classical Percussion
Languages:
Dutch (Work in Progress)
Afrikaans (fluent)
English (fluent)
Work experience:
Teaching
Free State Musicon (2004 – 2006) – Drum Kit
VUKA Arts Festival (2005 and 2010) – Drum Kit
EDUDrums Academy (2003 – 2022) – Drum Kit and Bass Guitar
SMA Music Academy (2007 – 2022) – Drum Kit and Bass Guitar
Productions
Oklahoma – Noel Stockton
Moments – Anton Esterhuyse
Anton en Vrinne – Anton Esterhuyse
EnkelSpel – Thys Heydenrych
Bob Marley Tribute – SWEID Entertainment
Jazz Diva’s – SWEID Entertainment
Leonard Cohen Tribute – Hattingh Davel/SWEID Entertainment
Roxette Meets Bryan Adams – K2 Band
Ons Jazz Dit! – SWEID Entertainment
Nina Simone Tribute – SWEID Entertainment/The Rad Jazz Band
SwartBlouRooi – Anton Esterhuyse/Central University of Technology/SWEID Entertainment
Jazzin Sunset Drive-In Concerts – Petro Engelbrecht
Die Sonkykers – Hilletje Bashew/Marijda Kamper
Country Show – The Imposters
ABBA Tribute – The Imposters
Various School Revue’s – Eunice Highschool, Grey College, Sentraal Highschool, Fichartpark Highschool
Festivals
VRYFEES/VOLKSBLAD/Vrystaat Kunstefees (2002 – 2022)
AARDKLOP Festival
KKNK Art Festival
INNIBOS Festival
GARIEP Kunstefees
MACUFE Music Festival
VUKA Music Festival
Fichsburg CHERRY Festival
VOETSPOOR Fees
Artists
Bea van der Vyfer
Jarose Jafta Poetry
William Wolf
Good Company Band
Danie de Meyer Gospel Band
The Vulcan Nerve Pinch Band
Minc Inc. Lounge Trio
K2 Band
Lugverfrisser Band
Sassh Band
Belinda van Zwijnrecht
Belinda & Amy
Liv Die
Anton Esterhuyse
Neil Nachtrein
The Imposters Band
Sweid Band
The Rad Jazz Band
Doxa Deo Church
CRC Church
Pellisier Church
Wolfgang Marrow Band
The Mojo Hands Blues Band
Noël Stockton
Liani Reynolds
Writing
Rhythm Relation Workbook 2005, Extended 2007
UNISA (Initial – Gr. 2) Drum Kit Syllabus (Noël Stockton) 2004 Grade 8 Drum kit
String Quartet Arrangements 2015
Various Band Arrangements for Small to Large Groups Grey College Highschool 2009 – 2022
Sound, stage & lighting
Various functions and events:
Weddings
Bands and Solo Artists
Backline
Streaming Services
Live Recording
Fashion Shows
Sport Events
Book Launch
Speeches
Maintenance & repairs
Various instrumental and gear related repairs:
Drum Kit Maintenance and Repairs
Drumhead Replacement and Tuning for Recording or Live Applications
Refurbishing of old Drum Kits and Hardware
Various Hand Percussion Natural Hide Replacements and Maintenance
Electric Bass Guitar Maintenance and Repairs
Signal or Power Cable building and Repairs
AV Installations for Businesses
See the “Galleries” page for more images.
English (UK) 
Nederlands (België) Copyright [2023] [Edudrums]. All rights reserved.