Wim Overgaauw

Dutch Jazz guitarist

Born: 23 November 1929 in Hilversum, Netherlands
Died: 30 November 1995 in Hilversum, Netherlands (aged 66)

One of the most important Dutch jazz guitarist of his generation. After trying the violin, soon switching to guitar and starting his varied career as a self-taught guitarist in Amsterdam, later working for the American forces in Germany, touring the Netherlands with pianist Pim Jacobs and singer Rita Reys, and finally he established himself as a studio musician and guitar teacher in Hilversum.

His sophisticated playing has gone largely unnoticed with a larger audience, especially since the introverted guitarist didn't show any interest in appearing or in the business aspects of the music world. The few albums he recorded as a leader are largely in easy listening genre.

It wasn't until after his death that Blue Jack Jazz Records released some of his jazz concerts on CD. Overgaauw's playing also lives on in the host of students he taught at the Hilversum Conservatory, including Jesse Van Ruller, [a=Martijn Van Iterson], and [a=Maarten Van Der Grinten], et al.