Nick van ‘groove’ Gelder started his music career in the mid 80s as drummer and co founder of cult space-rock band Ozric Tentacles. Juggling a busy gig/festival schedule with his art school commitments he completed his degree at Middlesex Polytechnic in graphic design but ultimately couldn’t deny his calling to music! Between 83-88 Nick provided the grooves for the 5 initial Ozrics cassette albums-the all instrumental improvised format was a valuable learning expierience- influenced by John Bonham,Phil Colins, Sly Dunbar a pantheon of US jazzrockfusion drumagogs of the day-Steve Gadd,Billy Cobbam,Bernard Purdie,Alphonse Mouson,Jeff Poccaro,Tony Williams,Lenny White,etc! 1998 saw Nick appearing on vinyl for the first time appearing on Lucinda Siegers cult classic ‘Sunset Red’ 12″
In 1990 Nick joined Acid Jazz act The Sandals as lead guitarist!-Touring round the UK and Europe with stablemates Cordouroy and Mother Earth, and appearing on the Leftfield produced debut single -Profound Gas.
Nick was introduced to new Acid Jazz signing Jamiroquai in late 91 by Sandals drummer and friend Wildcat Will .The young driven J.K had already recorded with members of The Brand New Heavies and was looking to start his own live band! 92 saw the release of the 12″ When You Gonna Learn on Acid Jazz records and a handfull of memorable gigs culminating in a showcase at Londons Jazz Cafe leading to the subsequent signing of JK to Sony s2 label.Nick went on to record on the classic chart topping debut -Emergency on Planet Earth LP playing; drums ,some guitar and co writing the song -If I Like It I Do It. (Nick was later voted 67th in the top 100 beats of all time for his drumming on Revolution 93 in a millenium poll in Rythm Magazine!) 93-94 was a hectic schedule of touring and promotion worldwide! including the release of the singles Too Young To Die ,Blow Your Mind and Emergency on Planet Earth . It was during this period that Jamiroquai forged his reputation as one of the tightest live acts around!
Nick left the band in 94 soon after recording the uptempo funk, break-beat driven track ‘The Kids’ on the Return of the Spacecowboy LP
Later that year Nick got together with friends Simon Bartholomew(-funky guitar maverick of The Brand New Heavies)and bass player Nick Seymore to form the Acid Jazz ‘supergroup’ -Akimbo
Signed to Acid Jazz the band recorded the On Top LP during 95 showcasing many of the Uks top young jazz guns including members of TBNH,Zero7,Incognito,Herbalizer,and Soul II Soul-.The band headlined Londons Soho Jazz festival two years running appearing at Ronnie Scotts and Madame JoJos Deep funk sessions-hosted by legendary rare funk Dj and collector Keb Darge
By 1999 Nick and Keb Darge had started their own independent label-‘Deep Funk Records’. Nick produced and played on 6 singles – 3 x funk 7″s by the’ Imaginary Visions’,the criticaly aclaimed ‘modern’ soul 7″ What am I Gonna Do by Akwaaba People, and 2 more contempoary 12″ singles under his own name -Foolish Moon and Na Capoiera featuring Vocals by Nina Miranda of Smoke City fame. 2003 saw the12″ release of rare soul covers Get On Up/To Be Free- on John Kongs DoRight Label- under the name Chosen 2 featuring Akwaaba People singer Mazen
Nick has also been involved in various collaborations. -With ,SoulJazz keyboardist JessicaLauren, Nu soul prodiges Vannessa Simon and Omar,Ohm,FBI,Raw Deal,and The Superphonics,Andy Lewis not to mention countless gigs,sessions,and jams with many of Londons top funk soul brothers and sisters!
On-‘Choose Music’ Nick produces writes and plays all the instruments -drums,guitars,bass,percussion,and keyboards featuring the soulfull vocal talents of Akwaaba People frontman Mazen,and Jim Hunt,Nichol Thomson,and Dom Glover (aka the Stella horns!)
