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Riaan Nieuwenhuis is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, based in South Africa. His music spans the genres of Indie Rock to New Age, Classical and Blues. Compositions range from spacious, ethereal and melodic piano, to adrenalin-pumping, power-driven rock instrumentals.

Riaan has travelled the world, exchanging musical ideas and interacting with foreign musicians. Fusing his own ideas with these and local South African influences, he creates dynamic and delicate world compositions while maintaining his originality.
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ABOUT RIAAN NIEUWENHUIS

Riaan Nieuwenhuis started playing the piano/organ at the age of 6, taking Classical piano lessons in his hometown of Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape. He later defied by choice the classical technique to develop his own, capturing audiences with his lightning quick but accurate style and innovative approach. Although the piano remains foundational in his work, the expansion of his repertoire, to include instruments such as the guitar, drums and bass guitar, has been inevitable for this versatile artist.

After travelling and busking abroad, Riaan returned to Stellenbosch and founded the acclaimed five-piece blues band Delta Blue, with Riaan on keyboard. Riaan toured and performed with Delta Blue for 5 years. They recorded 3 CD's and played at numerous upmarket venues and events, arts festivals and main stages of major music festivals in South Africa, Namibia, and London.

Riaan is an active musician; apart from his 5 years as keyboard player (and occasionally drummer) for the original Delta Blue (listen to mp3's) he has been the drummer of Rock groups AGES (listen to mp3's) and AMAfist (listen to mp3's), as well as the drummer of Delta Blue side project Boogie Chillen and for Afrikaans hip-hop outfit Piet Potent (listen to mp3's). Riaan also had a number of gigs with THE VIOLENT FREE PEACE, and is currently drummer in the exciting new Hard Blues outfit THE PARLOR VINYLS with guitarist and vocalist Niel Smit. (see Facebook Page).

He has been involved in various CD recordings, usually multi-dubbing on different instruments such as the drums, piano, organ, keys, guitar and slide guitar. One of Riaan's compositions, the album title track Turn, has been rated as the best track of the album by Pieter Redelinghuys - Insig Magazine. Turn is also recorded on a Grande piano, for the classical compilation CD, Dreamcatcher.

For a catalogue of Riaan's original instrumentals, click here; for band projects click here.

Riaan's solo album MEDIATOR is a double album that consists of 12 original solo piano tracks (CD 1), and 11 original full instrumental tracks (CD 2). Read more and listen to mp3 taster clips

Other CD recordings that Riaan has been involved in are:


Some of the stages and venues that Riaan has performed at are: