Singing is better than anything. Instruments actually attempt to imitate the human voice, the earliest and purest musical instrument.
The Oom Maw Maw does the opposite: they imitate instruments in their unique a capella group. To me this is the most fascinating singing that exists, because ever since the 19th century you just hear singers trying to holler louder than the orchestra (which for me sums up ‘classical' singing).

The singing techniques of The Oom Maw Maw are much closer to the original and natural singing traditions of jazz, rock and folk music, and, I'm firmly convinced, also to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Also reminiscent of those times is the 4-voice a capella setting: then by far the major musical expression. I think composers like Josquin and Dufay would have been delighted to compose for The Oom Maw Maw. Wonderful! A true celebration.
Louis Andriessen, composer.

source: www.jazzloft.com 
Photo: T.M. Greuter. (source: www.geheugenvannederland.nl )

1981

Peggy Larson, American jazz singer and Voice teacher at the conservatories of Rotterdam and Arnhem, is conducting the ‘CREA' choir. This year, Tobias Oudejans, Gabriël Oostvogel and Liesbeth Harting join this group.

1983

Peggy Larson founds a twelve-voiced a cappella jazz choir, called TAMAM. She asks Tobias, Gabriël and Liesbeth to join in.

A few years later, after an evening dinner, Peggy, Tobias, Gabriël and Liesbeth spontaneously sing TAMAM- and CREA-repertoire out on the street (Leidsestraat in Amsterdam).

However, after summer Peggy returns to America. The three others want to get going, so they ask TAMAM member Winanda van Vliet to join.

As a result, The Oom Maw Maw is born. The group consists of:

• Winanda van Vliet
• Liesbeth Harting
• Gabriël Oostvogel
• Tobias Oudejans

1988

On June 5, 6 and 7 they record their debut album: The Oom Maw Maw On Stage . For this album, they use LIVE recordings of concerts at the Amphitheater of Amsterdam. So this is therewith a LIVE album!

1989

The 1988 album is officially released at SATB Records (Amsterdam) this year.

1990

The Oom Maw Maw performs at the “Voices Festival 1990" (running from April 28 to May 13); the group ‘Montezuma's Revenge' is performing there as well. The festival is held for the second time, and has now been expanded to cities in Belgium (the subtitle reads appropriately: “In Holland and Flanders").
Manager Bert van Mourik contracted skillfull volunteers to run the festival smoothly.

1991

Somewhere between 1989 and 1991 Tobias (the bass) says goodbye. TAMAM member Hans Cassa is asked to replace him. Note that Hans just joined ‘Montezuma's Revenge' and hasn't even finished his studies yet (Voice, at the Rotterdam Conservatory).

January 7, on Belgian television (België 1) a second impression of the “Voices Festival 1990" is shown. The Oom Maw Maw sings ‘Stolen Moments', ‘Cancion de Buenos Aires' and ‘You Run Your Mouth'.

In February and March, The Oom Maw Maw dive into the studio (Aurec, in Huizen) to record their second album: Roger's Livingroom
The album is released by Timeless Records.

“Roger's Livingroom" refers to the studio of Roger Leppers, the recording engineer.

Liesbeth and Roger issue this year a renewed edition of the “Eenvoudige Muziekleer" (Ordinary Music Teachings), originally by Henny Schouten from 1929!

1992

This year, Peggy Larson, Liesbeth, Winanda, Gabriël and Han Buhrs lend their efforts to the album Live at the Bimhuis of Sean Bergin & M.O.B.

1993

According to https://resources3.kb.nl/010635000/pdf/DDD_010637713.pdf the group performs in the City Theatre of Heerlen on November 12 with the following line-up:

• Winanda van Vliet
• Liesbeth Harting
• Gabriël Oostvogel
• Frank Stoop

According to the biography of Winanda (see www.winanda.nl) the group toured through Germany, Turkey, Mexico and Indonesia.

It is not known when The Oom Maw Maw has been discontinued.