Micky Laheij - Drums | Maastricht Jazz Collective
The Engine Room. Dynamic, relentless pulse, shifting seamlessly between intricate jazz polyrhythms, club beats, and delicate cymbal textures.
About Micky Laheij
Micky Laheij is a Dutch jazz drummer and percussionist based in the Netherlands. Serving as the primary rhythmic powerhouse for the Maastricht Jazz Collective, he defines the quintet's dynamic pacing, navigating effortlessly between subtle acoustic nuances, high-impact climaxes, and driving modern grooves.
Educated at Conservatorium Maastricht, Micky treats the drum set as a melodic instrument, engaging in constant conversational phrasing with the piano, bass, and frontline horns. His rhythmic vocabulary synthesizes contemporary European straight-eighth aesthetics, syncopated swing, and the complex asymmetrical meters characteristic of Eastern European folklore.
Key Achievements & Highlights
International Recognition: Core rhythm section driving force with the Maastricht Jazz Collective, contributing to the ensemble's Grand Prize at The Jazz Maastricht Awards 2026 and 1st Prize at the B-Jazz International Contest 2026 (Gent, Belgium).
Rhythmic Architecture: Shapes the collective's live energy curve, moving fluidly between intricate polyrhythmic structures, broken beats, and grounded, club-oriented jazz pockets.
Stage & Festival Appearances: Performed across major stages, concert venues, and international jazz festivals across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Romania.