Clous van Mechelen (born Jacob Philip van Mechelen, March 12, 1941, Amsterdam) is a Dutch saxophonist, composer, and actor renowned for his eclectic career. Starting in the 1950s as a jazz clarinetist and saxophonist, he played with Hans Dulfer and later joined the rock band The Sharks with Tol Hansse.
Van Mechelen gained fame composing for Tol Hansse’s hit “Big City” and writing iconic Grolsch beer jingles, often mistaken for Vivaldi. His collaboration with Wim T. Schippers made him a household name, playing Jan Vos in radio and TV shows like De Lachende Scheerkwast while crafting songs for characters like Sjef van Oekel.
A conservatory-trained musician, he also scored films for Theo van Gogh and led Het Nieuwe Trio, blending 1950s and ‘60s styles. Van Mechelen’s versatility shone in cabaret, commercials and Bert and Ernie recordings with Paul Haenen.
Still active into his 80s, his legacy spans jazz, pop, and Dutch entertainment.
31 recordings by Clous van Mechelen you can hear at Instrumentals Forever:
Besame Mucho • Deep Purple • Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue • Dream • Flamingo • Historia De Un Amor • Hopelessly Devoted To You • How Deep Is Your Love • It’s A Heartache • Killing Me Softly • La chanson d’Orphée • Latin Lover • Mexican Girl • Moonglow • Mystery Moods • Nature Boy • Nikita • Only A Fool • Sandy • Saving All My Love • Say You, Say Me • Smoke Gets In Your Eyes • Stranger In Paradise • Taboo • Temptation • That Ole Devil Called Love • Three Times A Lady • Ticket To The Tropics • Voices • When I Need You • You Needed Me •
