Joel Van Dijk lives, loves and breathes music. Though still in his twenties, he is already an accomplished guitar player, composer, producer, instructor and band leader with an intense passion for music and an innate ability to capture moods through melody, harmony, and arrangement. Born in Northern California to an artistic and musical family, music was always at Joel’s fingertips and in his ears. He learned elements of folk and rock-blues guitar in his childhood both his parents, and was always influenced by the contemporary sounds of hip hop, rock, jazz, pop, funk’n soul as he developed his skills.
At seventeen, Joel began further honing his skills on the guitar by attending jam sessions at Sacramento blues clubs, immediately praised as a promising young talent by his older peers. In 2005 Joel moved to Los Angeles and attended the prestigious Musician’s Institute. He furthered his musical education under such accomplished instructors as Jamey Bellizzi, Jean Marc Belkadi and Sandro Albert.
Immersing himself in LA’s rich musical landscape, Joel quickly made connections with local producers and performers, recording and producing tracks and playing shows in and around the city’s most famous and storied venues. He has since become an in-demand producer, composer, and instrumentalist presently working in tandem with Manifest Music Productions (recording studio/production team) scoring, producing and engineering as well as linking up and performing with numerous bands and musicians including Aloe Blacc, U-N-I (musical director), Tre Hardson (of the Pharcyde), producer Cook Classics, Algebra Blessett, Mudluscious, Elemay, E Reece & Core Elements and many more.
A born leader, Joel also set his sights on establishing himself as a musical director and band leader. With hip hop duo U-N-I, he musical directed and helped lead the group to victory in MTV’s 2008 “Road to the VMA’s” contest, gaining massive exposure and acclaim for the group. Since then his U-N-I band (musicians) has grown in size and more appearances from the group have aired on MTV2’s Sucker Free in 2009.
Joel Van Dijk’s varied and diverse musical background has allowed him to develop a uniquely original style and approach to making music, melding distinct tastes from soul, rock, hip hop, funk, classical, jazz, electronic, world, pop and folk influences. His approach to music reflects his varied tastes and worldly outlook, drawing musical influence from a wide range of artists like Herbie Hancock, Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, Ravi Shankar, George Clinton, D'Angelo, Massive Attack, Sting, Thievery Corporation, James Brown, Jeff Beck, Michael Hedges, The RH Factor, J Dilla, Bob Marley and Raul Midon. His compositions constantly push forward, while retaining a classic feel.
Now singing and writing songs as a solo artist, Joel has established a reputation for leadership, hard work, integrity, and commitment in his career as a live/studio musician and producer. As the next phase of his career evolves and unfolds, he remains optimistic and always dedicated to his craft. “I consider myself a seeker and philosopher in this life,” he says, “seeking truth, love, integrity and freedom of expression. It is part of my mission to serve, inspire, aid, and uplift others in this journey.”
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