Arend Huisman was born on Saturday the 23rd of September, 1961, in the Frisian capital of Leeuwarden. He took his first baby-steps at the age of one and his first musical steps at the age of seven, singing along fervently in the Boys' and Mens' choir 'De Kleine Cantorij', which was conducted by Bob Pruiksma. Half a century later the choir is still around – in a different form and under the name 'Sneker Cantorij', but led by the very same conductor...

At eleven Arend's voice was breaking, so he left the choir to join the Brassband Hosannah as a trombonist. Another four years later he came across Big Band Jelle Buising – now called Big Band Leeuwarden – and learned to love light music. It didn't take long before Arend was sure of his destiny as a professional musician.

After being taught by the likes of Sipke Bakker and Eddie Engels at the conservatory in Groningen, he ended up in the conservatory of Hilversum, where jazz legend Bart van Lier and in his absence Jaromo Hoogendijk and Toon Roos taught him the tricks of their trade.

Since his graduation Arend has performed with bands and orchestras of all sorts, among others: Fluitekruid, 56, Stageband, Dixieland Crackerjacks, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dutch Swing College Band, Dutch blues legend Cuby and the Blizzards, New Metronome Big Band, Soul Vaccination, Aces of Syncopation, Andors Jazzband, Limehouse Jazzband, Heavy Metal Marching Band Blaas of Glory, Tubop Tuba, Drum 'n' Brass, Taratata, Noordpool Orkest and of course the band he founded himself: Sing, Swing 'n' T-bone. He still performs regularly with a number of these orchestras. Since 1997 Arend also masters the tuba/sousaphone.