The Hills Blues Collective is the name under which Anne-Maarten invites all sorts of fellow musicians who share a love for blues music to do shows. Sometimes he plays as a down home style duo playing traditional blues with a blues harp player, sometimes a trio with a tuba and sometimes with four or five musicians to make a full on chicago style blues band.
Names of musicians that have played along side Hills are amongst others Tinez van Toor from the Tinez Rooots Club on saxaphone, the MarbleTones’ harp player Ben Bouman, La Ratte’s front man Harm van Essen, Marcel Scherpenzeel and Little Steve on guitar and Big Pete on blues harp and the great Raymond Oostenrijk on bass known for his work with Dede Priest and Johnny Cark’s Outlaws. One of the long time steady musicians was Theo Thumper who regretably passed away in 2022 in is still missed dearly. Now one of the drummers in the chair is Bert de Jonge.
The Hills Blues Collective is an important vehicle for Anne-Maarten to try new ensembles. The Blues Rock trio Black Top came forward from playing together and put out three albums. Another duo was formed and later became the Red Hot Percolators a.k.a. Hills & Hamid who put out an album with a combination of Blues and traditional Persian Music. The latest band that came to excistense is Young Wood ‘n Hills.
As said; the Hills Blues collective plays Blues is many different forms, but it ain’t wort a thing if it ain’t got that swing!
