b. January 23, 1952, The Hague - Netherlands


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In the 70's René took lessons at the Royal Conservatory The Hague, Rotterdam, and Zwolle. 
In The Hague and Rotterdam he had lessons from: his father Theo Laanen (former principal trumpettist The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra) Piet van Dijk, Anner Bijlsma (former principal trombonists The Hague Philharmonic Orchestra) Bas Dekker, and Gerard Velthuijsen (former principal trombonists Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra). At the Conservatory in Zwolle he had lessons from Cees Smal and Frans Elsen.

In the late 60's René worked as a trombonist with John 'King Size' Russell in Holland, Germany and Switserland. 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, 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 and tv shows for Ruud Bos, he also played trombone in Dutch cabaret- musical shows. with the musical stars: Jasperina de Jong, Leen Jongewaard, Lex Goudsmit, Mieke Bos, and Conny Vandenbos.
His father Theo Laanen was 43 years solo trumpetist in "The Hague's Philharmonic Orchestra" and 25 years professor at the "Royal Conservatory" in The Hague.


The Hague Trombone Quartet in 1972 (photo Pan Sok)

In 1972 René founded the "The Hague Trombone Ensemble" - Arthur Moore, Dick vd Plas and the famous trombone brothers "Bart- and Erik van Lier".

In 1976 René 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).

In 1980 René 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 Howard Morgan combo at the SABC in Johannesburg.

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". 

	I AM WHAT I AM - Shirley Bassey (1987)
	BIG SPENDER - Shirley Bassey (1987) ...(this one is recorded at my music stand on stage in Frankfurt)

Michael Alexander - leader | Heinz von Hermann - lead alto | Greg Bowen - lead trumpet, Jurgen Scheele, Eddy & Danny Hyes - trumpet |
George Delagaye, Gerald Meier, Ludwig Gotz - trombone, René Laanen - bass trombone | Thomas Hoffmann - percussion | Gerry Freeman - drums

René played for several years (1980 - 1987) in "Shirley Bassey's Orchestra" and did tours in Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the United Kingdom. (click HERE for René's pedal, pedal C.)

From 1990 - 1999 René worked also as a music copyist and did fee lance work for: Rob Pronk, Bob Brookmeyer, the Metropole Orchestra and the NOS/NPS (as a music copiest).

René toured with "Paul Anka" in Spain, Finland, Poland 2, Hungary, and Belgium.

Daniel Willy (drums), Todd Carlon (keys), Shai Hayo (perc), Michael Labrador (guitar), Hiroshi Upshur (piano), Enrique Toussaint (bass), Jon Crosse (sax), Peter Brewer (sax), PAUL ANKA, Michael Leuschner (trumpet), René Laanen (bass trombone), August Haas (trumpet), Roger Ingram (lead trumpet), Craig Woods (lead trombone).

	JUMP - Paul Anka (2008)
	IT'S MY LIFE - Paul Anka (2008)
	EYE OF THE TIGER - Paul Anka (2008)

www.trombone-usa.com	www.jazzmasters.nl	www.renelaanen.com