At the age of sixteen, the beginning of the "nineteen sixties" Herman started performing on the stages of the Jazz clubs, venue's and festivals of Rotterdam( Industiegebouw, Lantaren Venster, B14, Kralingse Jazzfestival, Jazzkring The Hill-Rotterdamse jazzsociëteit, Twaalf Provinciën huis-Flevo Restaurant etc..)
He found himself surrounded by experienced musiciens like Hans van Leeuwen, Jack van Poll, Pim Jacobs, Richard Dammers, Henk Bordewijk, Kees and Koos Kooy, Ab Haverkamp, Machiel van Nieuwland, Gerard Holtgreve, Tom van Steenderen, Coen van Nassau, Rob Visser, Ab de Molenaar jr. And of course from the USA: Ben Webster and Johny Griffin.
For more information on Herman's young years, read the book of Hans Zierikzee...100 jaar jazz Rotterdam.