Album Notes

Bruce Vanderveen is a talented musician and composer. He is 26 years old and lives in Grandville, MI with his wife, Janna. They are currently expecting their first child. Bruce has lived in West Michigan for his whole life. He grew up in Zeeland, and the moved to Holland at age 9, where he lived until leaving for college.

His parents enrolled him in piano lessons at age 8, which he continued through high school. He started playing saxophone in the Holland Christian school marching band at age 10 and played in school bands through high school and in college. Bruce attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, at which point he started playing guitar, and later bass guitar. In his sophomore year he met Janna, and they dated until Bruce finished college. Bruce graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, which he put to work at Johnson Controls in Holland. 8 months later, he married Janna, and they moved into their new house in Grandvillle.

After working for 2 years at Johnson Controls doing research and development for automotive electronics, Bruce left the company to become the music director at Resurrection Life Church, where he remains today. In 2001, Bruce started a side business called Custom Music Charts, through which he creates arrangements for other churches, organizations or individuals. Besides music, Bruce enjoys skiing, tennis, rock climbing, and computers, as well as spending time with his family. Bruce plans on continuing to grow as a musician, and hopes to release more recordings in the future.

Bruce has a wife variety of musical taste, from jazz to rock to hip-hop. There have been several musicians that in particular have influenced Bruce as a saxophone player. The first sax player to influence him, and who still remains his favorite, is Eric Marienthal, because of the energy and also the smoothness of his music. Justo Almario has also been an inspiration. Bruce has had the privilege of meeting him, and has learned much from Justo's work on worship albums. Then of course there is Kenny G, simply because his music appeals to so wide an audience.

Besides these musicians, Bruce has been affected by the musicians he has had a chance to work with. Curt Coffield, the former worship leader at Resurrection Life, recognized the talent in Bruce and encouraged him to develop it through his ministry at the church. The current worship leaders, Michael Gungor and Ken Reynolds, have also been great inspirations, through their incredible musicianship and songwriting.

Bruce has also had the great experience of working with the incredibly talented Israel Houghton and New Breed on the Israel's New Season project. Bruce also believes that Aaron Lindsey, who produced "Going the Distance" is the best keyboard player that he knows, among his many other skills.