Nicole Lemmens - Vocals
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As a little girl, I was always singing and dancing. With a hairbrush as my microphone, I stood in front of the mirror pretending I was on a big stage. At home there was always music — the radio was playing or records were spinning. I joined talent shows, school plays, and sang in the children’s choir. I was a cheerful music girl. Until a nasty bullying incident in primary school shattered my confidence.
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It took many years before I dared to use my voice again. Through friends of friends I was asked to sing in a cover band — and that made me want more! Making music together, performing, having fun… I loved every moment. Until a burnout brought all my insecurities back to the surface.
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After a period of personal growth and self-development, the spark slowly returned. I joined Vocal School Nancy Deusings, where I learned to sing harmonies in a small group. I enjoyed doing that for six years.
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After that, I felt it was time to spread my wings. I visited several bands, but none of them felt like the right fit. Around that time, I started taking singing lessons at Hometown Studio in Grevenbicht, with Diana Olierook. There, I work on my technique and discover what my voice can really do. It feels good to keep challenging myself and growing — step by step, at my own pace.
Through a music project I met Jérôme, saxophonist with Tubaluba. He invited me to come and listen, and from the very first moment it felt right. The men of Tubaluba welcomed me with open arms — I felt seen, heard, and safe. Together we’ll be shaping not only the New Orleans jazz, but also the “and more.”
I’m truly looking forward to this collaboration and everything that lies ahead. 🎷🎤🎶
Franc Schnabel, drums
As a young boy, I started drumming in the local brass band, but soon I wanted more — a shiny drum set of my own. My parents weren’t too keen on the idea, so it didn’t happen at the time, but the wish never left me.
In high school, thanks to my music teacher, I finally got behind a real drum kit and joined the school band. Later, I played with a youth choir band and then with a cabaret group’s music ensemble.
After studying in Amsterdam and settling in Maastricht, I joined a music group through friends that played everything from waltzes, evergreens, hymns, and folk tunes to light jazz, samba, and rumba. I drummed with them for almost 25 years.
I also had a short adventure of 2–3 years with a small jazz/brass band called “Undecided,” which unfortunately came to an end.
After more than two years of illness, in mid-2023 I was contacted by Franck, the clarinetist, who asked if I’d like to join a newly forming jazz band. Of course, I said yes — making music and drumming is something I could never give up. I hope to keep doing it for many years to come, because drumming is my passion!
‘Music was my first love and it will be my last.’
Paul van de Weijer, guitar
I’m Paul, the guitarist. I’ve been part of Tubaluba since the very beginning in 2023. Guitar is my main instrument. I started making music at a very young age, and since the 1960s I’ve mainly played in bands — from small, cozy pubs to larger venues such as The Spirit of 66, Gentse Feesten, Paradiso, Limburg Halls, town squares, and festival tents.
Besides performing, I’ve also been involved in many other aspects of the music scene — including light and sound engineering, studio work, management, coaching, and memberships with M.M.F. and I.M.M.F.]
Frans Nevels – Trompet, cornet, bugle
I was nine years old in 1976 when I started piano lessons with Margot and, at the same time, bugle and trumpet lessons with the conductors of the local brass band in Schinnen. As a young boy, I didn’t yet understand what musical discipline meant — but I learned quickly!
At 21, I started exploring new paths: English brass bands, contests and championships, big bands, lessons, workshops, and playing under professional conductors. Later, I shifted my focus to lighter music — and found my true home in jazz and blues. When the chemistry with other musicians is right, especially with an audience, the music really starts to flow.
My day begins with music and ends with music. I feel privileged to make music in big bands and orchestras, but also in small jazz/blues bands and ensembles, across many genres, with both amateur and professional musicians.
Since late 2023, I’ve been part of Tubaluba, bringing old-style New Orleans jazz (and more) to the stage together.
☺ .
Ed van Puyvelde – Sousaphone
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I’ve been playing bass since 2015, after previously playing trumpet and baritone in various local bands. I’m still active in a local band and also with Fanfare St. Martin de Stein, where we still play from written scores.
In 2016, I joined the Red Beans Street Band, a young jazz band. With no prior experience, we dove into the adventure of old-style New Orleans jazz. That’s where I learned to play using chord charts.
In 2023, I started Tubaluba together with some musical friends. This new adventure brings a great mix of New Orleans jazz, blues, Latin, and even classical music.
Franck van de Wijer - Clarinet, Soprano Sax, Vocals
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Originally, I wanted to learn trumpet with the ‘Koninklijke Harmonie van Heer,’ but things turned out differently — my father knew the chairman of another local band, and he happened to have a clarinet lying around. So, clarinet it was, with ‘Heer-Vooruit.’
Later, I played in the symphony orchestra ‘Avanti-Kapel’ in Maastricht and spent several years performing with the dance orchestra ‘Black-Tie Dixie.’ During that time, I also began singing and playing the saxophone.
During carnival, I met some musicians who wanted to start a jazz band. That became the King Zulu’s Brassband — my first experience with New Orleans jazz. Later, that group evolved into the Hurricane Brassband.
I also spent many years with ‘The New Orleans Dusty Duds,’ later renamed ‘The Gumbo Jazzband.’ Together with my wife Mireille, on bass drum, I had a great time playing in the ‘Big Easy Brassband’ from Maastricht, alongside musicians like Jérôme — who now also plays in ‘Tubaluba Jazz and more.’
Jazz and all these bands have taken me to many places and festivals across Europe — and quite a few times to New Orleans itself.
For me, personal connection is essential, as is everyone’s role within the band — just like in New Orleans music, where the expression of each individual serves the sound and the band as a whole.
‘Tubaluba’ aims to keep a broad musical outlook and reach a wide audience, sharing our enthusiasm everywhere we play.]
Jérôme Maassen, Tenor Saxophone
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I started playing clarinet in the local harmony orchestra as a child. During my teenage years, I got into Dixieland — one of my favorite bands back then was the Circus Square Jazzband. I even had one of their LPs and saw them live several times — that’s when the seed was planted.
Later, while serving in the military, I learned to play the saxophone and performed in several bands on keyboards and clarinet/saxophone. I even got to play with Jan van Gaalen, the clarinetist/saxophonist from the Circus Square Jazzband — one of my musical heroes.
I’ve also performed six times at the Jazz Festival in Dresden with the Big Easy Brassband from Maastricht — one of Europe’s biggest jazz festivals. Those are wonderful memories and a real honor.
Since Tubaluba’s founding in 2023, I’ve been a member. It’s great to make music with like-minded people — and I hope we can bring joy to many listeners with our music. Tap your feet and keep swinging!]
