Wim's parents loves good music and they, somehow, inspired him in the decision to become one of the greatest drummers of today. His mother is a fanatic choir singer and his father is a piano player who is a great fan of the jazz music of Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Errol Garner etc. Because his brother joined a marching band Wim also wanted to play in a marching band.
He started playing snare drum and after a while he also played trumpet. In this period he won several individual snare drum contests. As a teenager he joined his father's band on drums and played on parties, weddings. Wim played in the big band of the music school and he formed his own band with his cousin, called "2000 Miles".
At the age of 16, the passion to become a drummer, became so big that Wim decided to study at the Arnhem Conservatory. As young as he was then, it was during that period he formed a trio with pianist Marcus Schinkel and bassist Bas Rietmeijer: The Marcus Schinkel Trio. They recorded two albums and they still play together. Also during his period at the Conservatory, Wim was the drummer in a well known trio: The Arnhem Jazz trio. Together with his buddy, Johan van der Kouwe (the piano player of the Arnhem Jazz trio) Wim went to Berklee College of Music in Boston (USA). This was possible because of a scholarship of the VSB Foundation. During the time he was still a student, it became more clearer, that Wim had a specific talent; the talent to become a great drummer.
He toured and recorded worldwide with bands like Oostenwind, JazzFactor. Even as a big band drummer Wim impressed everybody. He toured with the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra through Europe.In this period he started also to play solo clinics/concerts for SONOR and Paiste.
From 1999 till 2005 Wim had a job in several Musical theatre Productions in Holland. Having the experience to play almost every day in Productions like that, Wim made the decision in 2005 to work more at his own musical career instead of being "only" a side-man. And that wasn't a bad idea.
Cause if we look to the day of today: Wim formed a duo with Drummer Rene Creemers they call themselves: The Drumbassadors. They do clinics and concerts all over the world. Wim played already on every world-famous and important drummer meeting/festival where he played with drummers like: Steve Gadd, Virgil Donati, Steve Smith, Will Kennedy etc.
A few nice recordings of Wim de Vries: The A.J.T. (The Arnhem Jazz Trio) Marcus Schinkel Band - The first of a million tones Oostenwind - Stratusphunk The JazzFactor - Flying Wim de Vries - Groovability to swing Chicago The Musical Saturday Night Fever 3 Musketiers DVD Drumbassadors - Volume I DVD Drumbassadors Live in New York (Modern Drummer Festival 2003) DVD Ultimate Drummer Weekend Melbourne (Australia) .