René's
father Theo
Laanen was 43 years solo trumpetist
in "The Hague's Philharmonic Orchestra" and for 25 years professor
at the "Royal Conservatory" in The Hague.
In the 70's René took lessons at the Royal Conservatory The
Hague, Rotterdam, and Zwolle.
He had lessons from: Piet van Dijk, Anner Bijlsma (former principal
trombonists The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra) Bas Dekker, and Gerard
Velthuijsen (former principal trombonists Rotterdam Philharmonic
Orchestra).
In
the late 60's he worked as a trombonist with John
'King Size' Russell in Holland and Germany. In the 70's
he worked as a freelance trombonist with Radio/TV Orchestra's in
the Netherlands: Tony Nolte - AVRO, Rogier
van Otterloo - TROS, The
Skymasters - AVRO, Harry
van Hoof, Ruud Bos - AVRO, Rudy van Houten - TROS, The
Rob Madna Big Band, Nederlands Jazz Orchestra (leader Frans
Elsen/Kenny Napper), and played film music for Ruud
Bos, he also played trombone in Dutch cabaret- musical shows
with the musical stars: Jasperina
de Jong, André van Duin, Conny van de Bos, Simone
Kleinsma, and Gerard
Cox. René
(r) with
Erik- and Bart
van Lier(1972) In
1972 he founded the "The Hague Trombone Quintet" with "Arthur
Moore" (principal trombonist "The
Hague Philharmonic Orchestra"), Dick
vd Plas and the famous trombone brothers "Bart-
and Erik
van Lier". In 1974 his quartet made appearances on TV in
the program "Music all in" with guest trombonist Dick
Nash (that same year they were also featured in a radio
program in Holland).
In
1976 he worked in Berlin (Germany) and played in the orchestras
Compas, the Fallade-Revue- "Jeder stirbt fuer sich allein" in the
Schiller-Theater with the famous "Erwin
Bootz" (piano player "Comedian Harmonies") and worked with
Musicians from "The Tanz-Orchestra RIAS" (American Radio Station
Berlin). René
with Shirley
Bassey (1988) In
1980 he went to Johannesburg (South Africa) and worked with Gerry
Bosman's Radio/TV Orchestra (SABC), the Pretoria Symphony
Orchestra (PACT), held the bass trombone position in Johannesburg
based military band of the Light Horse Regiment (widely known as
the best military band in South Africa at the time with musicians
like Johnnie
Fourie, Denni Lalouette, Ronnie Franchitti, Chris Vernon,
Johnny Boshoff, Bez Martin) and played for several years in the
George Hayden Big Band (SADF
Entertainment Unit Pretoria), and the Art Heatlie Big Band at the
SABC. At the Civic Theater in Johannesburg he played the musicals
- "Mame, Cats, Cinderella, Razzle Dazzle, West Side Story, Evita
and Barnum". In 1984 and 1985 René made three extensive tours
with the orchestra's of the singers: "Howard Keel and Antony
Newley" and worked in Africa with "Peanuts
Hucko". René played for several years in "Shirley
Bassey's Orchestra" and did tours in Africa, Germany, Switzerland,
Austria and the United Kingdom. René
(r) with Michel Becquet (ITF 2000) From
1990 - 1999 René worked also as a music copyist and did fee
lance work for the
Metropole Orchestra and the NOS/NPS (as music copiest)
Program Manager Jazz, The
Regentenkamer, The Hague, Netherlands, 9/2005 - 8/2007
René worked with Tony Lada (trb) and Charlie Saling
(trp) at Jazz in Vermont.
Charlie Saling (top lead trumpet player in Boston) wrote to René
Laanen: I am going to Jazz in Vermont. I feel allegiance to the
great musicians I had the pleasure of working with you. You are
top on my list. You're an awesome player and a great guy.
René
(r) 
worked with
