Liner notes 6 Nice to have met you

These liner notes appear on the van Leer solo album Nive to have met you from 1978

Tys van Leer is a household word throughout his native Holland and other parts of Europe. His classical roots as a flutist and as a composer, showcased in the CBS albums "Introspection 1, 2 and 3," have earned him superstar status abroad. From these classical seeds, carefully cultivated since childhood, Tys branches out into other musical genres.

The rest of the world sampled Tys' artistry when he toured with his trendsetting rock band, Focus, in the early 1970s. Their single, "Hocus Pocus", was an international success, memorable not only for its musical composition, but for one of Tys' additional talents - yodeling. Turning to yet another music form, he captivated the audience at the 1977 Montreaux Jazz Festival. While the flute remains Tys' featured instrument, he is also accomplished on the piano, organ, oberheim, harmonium and mellotron.

Everywhere Tys travels, people accept his music with admiration and appreciation. When Tys arrived in the United States in November, 1977, to make plans for this album, he was overwhelmed by the sincerity and friendliness of those he encountered. And, at the end of every conversation, a phrase which struck him as being typically American recurred, "...nice to have met you."

In February, Tys returned to New York City to begin recording. He brought with him several new compositions and a title song to express warm feelings for his many new American friends, "Nice To Have Met You."

The sessions began on a high note. Two of his new friends, Ralph MacDonald and Tom Scott, collaborated their production talents with the brilliance of Tys' music. The joy and intensity that characterized Tys' meetings with artists he's long admired is evident in the music that resulted. And, as the end of each session, many musicians would approach Tys with compliments to his music and the ever-familiar phrase, "...nice to have met you."

With this album, the world will be able to savor the genius of this multi-talented Dutch musician. It is, indeed, so nice to have met you, Tys van Leer.