Bert is working as Key Account Manager for Conn-Selmer and Bowed Stringinstrument and Digital Piano specialist at Gewamusic BeNeLux.
In this capacity he gives also the so called Bachsessions (Trumpet and Trombone Science) where he explains the productionprocess of Vincent Bach trumpets and trombones. Also with Rene Henket (Andre Rieu Orchestra) he gives workshops about mouthpieces (Bachology Mouthpieces) Thus travelling throughout the BeNeLux to promote the brands Gewa stands for at all musicshops/ musicschools or orchestra's. Click here for more info.
He is also the conductor of the Big Dipper Bigband in Utrecht and The Bill Baker Bigband in The Hague and was ass. Musical Director of Orkest Collectief Zoetermeer. Is asked on regular bases to conduct several orchestra's as substitute.
Played basstrombone and basstuba in the Charli Green Bigband, Dutch Academy of Performing Arts Orchestra, Convocation Bigband as a steady member. Substitutes in several Orchestra's and Bigbands as there are ; Utrecht Jazz Orkest, Laundry Bigband, Dutch Concert Bigband, Guus Tangelder Bigband, Politiebigband Oost Nederland, Peter Beets & Henk Meutgeert Jazzorchestra, Bravo Bigband, Yentle Bigband, Weekend Opera Utrecht, Vincent van Lent Orchestra, on regular bases.
Was a steady member of the hornsection Sound of Horns as an arranger/trombonist in several popbands on freelance bases
Is basstromboneplayer in Het Symfonisch Begeleidings Orkest and is also producer (together with Marcel Schot) of the Dutch Basstrombone Open and 8vaBASSA Open (together with Luc Geraats) both parts of the Akoesticum Open where Bert is Program Leader.
Bert plays Double Bass in his own jazzcombo, Three&One an the Charli green Quintet and Greatest Songs Show Orchestra and substitutes (mainly) in Bigbands on this instrument.
Since 2021 he is Chairman of the only dutcht brancheorganisation for bigbands, BigbandsForever. This foundations goal is to expand the bigband scene en strengthen bigbands in their functioning. a.o. Click here for more info.
And above all is married to his lovely wife Esther Damsma-in 't Groen who is a very talented violinplayer and violinteacher attached to the European String Teacher Association.