About

With the release of his highly anticipated debut solo album Practised Bravado (2017)—featuring world-class drummers Thomas Lang (Paul Gilbert) and Dennis Leeflang (Bumblefoot)—Theo van Niel Jr. showcased his wide-ranging skill set as a musician and firmly established his name on the international music scene. With a unique approach and mastery of diverse musical styles, he is widely regarded as one of the top guitarists in the Netherlands.

Where it all started…

As the son of a record store owner, Theo was surrounded by great music from an early age. “During my youth, I would hear the best music there was, day in, day out,” he recalls. Inspired by a Johnny Winter record, he picked up the guitar at the age of eight—and quickly began putting in the hours needed to master the instrument. It didn’t take long before he was sharing the stage with many well-known local musicians.

After graduating from the Rotterdam Music Conservatory, Theo began performing with a wide variety of bands. Most notably, he became the lead guitarist and co-writer for Mojo Man, a well-received and successful 9-piece blues-rock formation. Their self-titled debut album Mojo Man (2015) received favorable reviews, with many critics praising Theo’s guitar work.