Fred van Vloten started his career as a professional drummer in 1972.

In-demand musician
The first years he mainly focused on improvised music and jazz, but Fred developed into a much sought-after studio and session drummer. He played with many artists and acts including Doris Henderson Peter Blanker Consort, Joost Nuisl, Wim Hogenkamp, Tineke Schouten, Heleen Schuttevaer, het Nooy\'s Volkstheater, Jan Akkerman, Finch, Jan Hollestelle, Stefan Lievenstro, Eddy Conard, Erwin Hoorweg, Kaz Lux, Nippy Noya, Edu Ninck Blok, Klaas Wit, Lex Jasper, Wim Overgaauw, Eef Albers, Jeroen de Rijk, Humphrey Campbell, Cor Bakker, Dick Rienstra, Henk Meutgeert, Wim Dijkgraaf, Hans Dulfer, Hans Visser, Bernhard Reinke en Onno Kelk.

Slagwerkkrant poll
For 14 years the readers of Dutch drum magazine Slagwerkkrant voted Fred van Vloten in the top 10 in the category jazz rock/fusion. In 1987, and 1988 he was named best fusion drummer of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. In 1996, Fred was the first Dtuch drummer to be chosen as best drum teacher.

Drum methods
Fred, endorsing artist for Sonor drums, Sabian cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks, wrote \'Time for drums\', a series of four books concerning rock, funk, jazz and fusion/latin. It was followed by \'The Rhythm Factory drum Workout\', two drum videos with cassettes and a book.

Enthousiastic teacher
Fred van Vloten was also an animated drum teacher who gladly shared his musical knowledge and craftmanshipt with others. As a guest teacher he had been linked to the Conservatories of Rotterdam and Groningen among others. Moreover he was co-founder of drum school The Rhythm Factory and gave he clinics all over Europe.

The last couple of years he was struck by a serious sickness. Fred van Vloten became 56 years old.