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Phone in, during the day at (0)2-345 60 35, evening at (0)2-354 79 43 Or Email or fax to (32-(0)2) 345 54 87 (news which are not just concert announcements, plz). Do Not Miss Our CDs Corner for NEW RELEASES | Visit LIVE JAZZ page to see latest events and follow individual musicians TOURS/GIGS |
| BACK TO NEWSFLASH (MOST RECENT NEWS)VERSION FRANÇAISE DES NOUVELLES MOINS RÉCENTES DE '99 |
| ROGER VAN HA TOURS WITH TONY COE Beginning of January 2000, bassist Roger VAN HAVERBEKE will play some concerts with British saxophone / clarinet player Tony COE. (Dec. 27, 99) |
| STÉPHANE GALLAND : CONCERTS WITH GEOFFROY DE MASURE AND BZZ PÜK Also in January 2000, drummer Stéphane GALLAND will play some concerts with BZZ PÜK, the trio of French trombone player Geoffroy DE MASURE, with Linley MARTHE on electric bass. (Dec. 27, 99) |
| ON FRENCH TV "LA 5" : FILM "ECLATS DE FAMILLE", MUSIC BY MICHEL HERR WITH RICHARD GALLIANO The French tv LA 5 will soon present "Eclats de Famille", a French fiction film (94) directed by Didier GROUSSET, with a.o. actors Yves ROBERT and Emmanuelle RIVA, and for which pianist/composer Michel HERR has written the original soundtrack. Participated in the recording of the music : Michel HERR (piano, kb) Richard GALLIANO (accordeon), and a nice team of Belgian musicians : Fabien DEGRYSE (gt), Philippe AERTS (b.), Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs), plus a string quartet. Date : Dec. 30, '99. (Dec. 27, 99) |
| JUDY NIEMACK AND JEANFRANÇOIS PRINS IN L.A. Singer Judy NIEMACK and guitarist Jeanfrançois PRINS will appear at Los Angeles JAZZ BAKERY on January 3, '2000, with Putter SMITH (bass) and Joe LABARBERA (drs). The JAZZ BAKERY is located 3233 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90034, USA. Phone : 310-275-8961. (Dec. 24, 99) |
| IGLOO ANNOUNCES 3 CDs BOX OF L'ÂME DES POÈTES IGLOO, the Belgian jazz label, is about to release a 3 CDs box to bring together the 3 albums of l'L'ÂME DES POÈTES, the trio that plays creative, instrumental and jazzy versions of famous French chansons. The trio is composed of Pierre VAIANA (sax), Pierre VAN DORMAEL and later Fabien DEGRYSE (guitar) and Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE (double bass). The three albums included in the package are "L'Âme des Poètes", "L'été indien" and "L'Âme des Poètes joue Brel", all previously released on the Igloo label. (Dec. 24, 99) |
| W.E.R.F. PLANS BEN SLUIJS AND ERIK VERMEULEN ALBUMS W.E.R.F. Records prepares for the future a quartet album of alto saxophonist Ben SLUIJS, titled "Candy Century", and a trio album of pianist Erik VERMEULEN, with Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Jan DE HAAS (drs). (Dec. 24, 99) |
| JACQUES STOTZEM : NEW CD The German label ACOUSTIC MUSIC has released the CD "Connections" (Acoustic Music 319.1194.2) of guitarist Jacques STOTZEM. Mainly a solo guitar recording, the album includes however a few tracks with guests : Jacques PIROTTON (guitar) and Thierry CROMMEN (harmonica). (Dec. 22, 99) |
| COLOURS RELEASES A CD IN THE US As was recently announced, COLOURS has released their CD "Rebel Heart" (NBTM 5408) in the US. The band is composed of Frankie ROSE (guitar), Vincent BRUYNINCKX (keyboards), Jacques PILI (el. b.) and Michel MOLITERNO (drums). For the moment the record may be hard to find in Europe, but if you are interested, you might try the band's WEB SITE to order it. Also, in few days the album will be available from NETBEAT (Dec. 22, 99) |
| JAZZ IN BELGIUM WEBSITE IS MOVING SOON / CHANGING URL We have to move to a new server. This will happen soon (before the end of the year) unless unseen problems will pop last minute.
It is true that it will be a headache, like moving house, for those who have their pages on the site and will have to modify the address. Detailed notification will be circulated individually.
We will leave a forwarding address behind, using the current URL to guide visitors to the new location. This forwarding facility will remain for a duration of at least 6 months to perhaps 12 months. |
| NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY AT MARCUS MINGUS ****** MENU : INCLUSIVE PRICE : Bef : 5900 à partir de / as of 2h00 : Bef 2000
(Dec. 21, 99) |
| F.R.I.T. (fanfare réunie des instruments transportables) WORKSHOP/AUDITION to create a marching band thta will play film music. These workshops will be organized by Pierre VAIANA and Jonathan FOX. The relationship between sound and gesture, musical improvisation and the theatrical act will be explored. If you play a portable instrument, this workshop is for you.
....................................................................................................................................... LAST NAME : FIRST NAME : DATE OF BIRTH : ADDRESS : PHONE : INSTRUMENT(S) : PLAYS SINCE : Advance payment of 500 BEF has to be made to BACOB 796-5945957-51. I'll pay the saldo on Jan. 5, 2000 SIGNATURE : |
| KRIS GOESSENS ON LATEST BOB BROOKMEYER BIG BAND CD Belgian pianist Kris GOESSENS appears on the latest big band CD presenting the music of US trombonist/composer/arranger Bob BROOKMEYER. The album is titled "Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra" (Challenge CHR 70066) and features a new, mostly German big band. For more infos, visit the album page on the web site of the Dutch CHALLENGE label. (Dec. 21, 99) |
| FOOFANGO's LABEL CONTREJOUR ON THE WEB The CD Foofango (Contrejour CJ 006) of the band FOOFANGO, with musicians from Burkina Faso Désiré SOME (guitar, vocals), Alain NYAME (bass, vocals), Zoumana DEMBELE (percussion), and Belgian colleagues Michel SEBA (percussion) and saxophonist Pierre VAIANA is presented on the WEB SITE of the CONTREJOUR label. (Dec. 20, 99) |
| FINAL BAR : DRUMMER LEROY LOWE Pianist Michel HERR informs us that his good friend, U.S. drummer Leroy LOWE died on Monday Dec. 13, '99 of lung cancer. After playing at an early age with Otis REDING, Ray CHARLES, Gladys KNIGHT and the Pips, etc, Leroy moved to Sweden in '67, where he played a.o. with Dexter GORDON, Red MITCHELL, Barney KESSEL, Charles TOLLIVER, Johnny GRIFFIN, the Clark TERRY Big Band, trombonist Eje THELIN, pianists Bobo STENSON and Thomas CLAUSEN, bassists Palle DANIELSSON and Jesper LUNDGAARD. His European career made him play with a.o. Joe HENDERSON, Woody SHAW, Chet BAKER, Joachim KUHN, Charles LLOYD, Michel PETRUCCIANI, Thad JONES, Philip CATHERINE, Klaus IGNATZEK, Bud SHANK, Shorty ROGERS, James MOODY, Horace PARLAN etc. Leroy LOWE was invited by Michel HERR to join his trio, and together they recorded the CD Intuitions (Igloo Igl 073), and he also toured and recorded with the ENGSTFELD/HERR Quartet ("Short Stories" and "Continuous Flow"), a.o. with Bill FRISELL as a guest. Leroy LOWE was a familiar face on the Belgian scene some years ago. He played a.o. with Philip CATHERINE, Philippe AERTS, Michel HATZIGEORGIOU, Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE with Klaus IGNATZEK, etc. A great human being and an excellent musician, he'll be deeply missed. (Dec. 18, 99) |
| NEW GILBERT ISBIN SOLO CD Guitarist Gilbert ISBIN has a new solo guitar album out "Gilbert ISBIN plays Nick Drake" on the German label Traurige Tropen (Traurige Tropen 008). (Dec. 17, 99) |
| MORE AND MORE CDS AND MUSIC TRACKS FOR SALE ON-LINE Belgium is slowly but surely developing its offer of on-line music shops. These sites represent a great opportunity to purchase Belgian jazz recordings, most of which are produced by small independent labels and thus not always easy to find. The offer now includes : complete CDs, separate MP3 files, compilations "à la carte", this combined with detailed information on the artists, the labels and the albums, music samples etc... and more. Here is what is available : Specialist of independent labels, for the moment by far the largest choice of labels. Most of the independent Belgian jazz labels are available (Igloo, Carbon 7, Quetzal, Lyrae, September, Jazz Club, etc...). In English. Search tool, detailed info on the albums, the labels and the artists, good Real Audio Samples. Some MP3 files can be purchased seperately and downloaded, netradio-type streaming, etc... Specialist of independent labels. As far as Belgian jazz is concerned, the offer is limited to the W.E.R.F. catalog, but check their very well featured page. In English. Search tool, detailed info on the albums, the labels and the artists, good Real Audio Samples. Most of the albums tracks are also available as MP3 files to be purchased separately and downloaded. You can also make your own selection of individual tracks and make up your own custom-made CD compilations, to be shipped to you. Some other sites who have a limited follow up of the Belgian jazz productions : In Dutch. With search tools. In English, French, Dutch. With search tools. In Dutch. With search tools. (Dec. 17, 99) |
| NEW YEAR'S EVE AT ONE OF BRUSSELS MOST POSH RESTAURANTS WITH BELGIUM TOP JAZZMEN Charles LOOS & Jean-Pierre CATOUL will be performing live at the "Mon Manège à Toi" in Brussels on December 31st for the New Year. The event will start at 9 PM. For reservations and informations please dial: 02/770 02 38 or fax at: 02/762 95 80. If you want to be part of this unique event, call without delay. Charles and Jean-Pierre have recorded together, on QUETZAL, their album SUMMER WINDS (Dec. 16, 99) |
| THE JEGGPAP JAZZBAND HAS ITS WEB SITE The Belgian old style jazz band JEGGPAP JAZZBAND has now its own WEB SITE. Available in Flemish, it presents the band's discography (with MP 3 music samples), history and concert schedule. (Dec. 16, 99) |
| OLIVIER THOMAS : NEW CD WITH BELGIAN JAZZMEN Singer Olivier THOMAS has a second CD out, titled " Le second souffle de Josaphat" (Franc'Amour FC 112). Once again, the songwriter and actor performs with the top progressive jazzmen who compose his band TOMAS & CO, such as : Michel PARÉ (tp), Michel MASSOT (tuba, tb), Jeroen VAN HERZEELE (ten. sax), Joe HIGHAM (alto sax), François DECAMPS (gt), Otti VAN DER WERF (b.), Stéphane GALLAND (drs) and Michel SEBA (perc.). Infos : SOWAREX, email : sowarex@arcadis.be. (Dec. 15, 99) |
| ETIENNE RICHARD's BAND WITH US SINGER NINA SMALL Pianist Etienne RICHARD and his band No Vibrato will play a few concerts with U.S. singer Nina SMALL. (Dec. 15, 99) |
| MORE DETAILS ON EURODJANGO 2000 We have more details about the event of the EURODJANGO, that will take place on February 11, 2000 in Brussels, under the auspices of the European Jazz Foundation. Among the musicians announced are Philip CATHERINE (gt), Babik REINHARDT (gt), the EUROPOOL JAZZ ORCHESTRA - with a.o. Phil ABRAHAM (tb) -, Florin NICOLESCU, Alexandre CAVALIERE (vl), Anna JBANOV, Martial SOLAL (piano), Putte WICKMAN (clar.), Gianluigi TROVESI (clar.), André CECCARELLI (drs) and Jean-Marc JAFFET (bass). Click HERE for details. (Dec. 15, 99) |
| SURVEY ON THE ARTISTS SOCIAL STATUS IN BELGIUM The PLATE-FORME NATIONALE DES ARTISTES is currently collecting questionnaires distributed among Belgian artists to draw a precise picture of the social status, the living and working conditions of artists in Belgium, a problem that remains without a satisfactory solution for the moment. The purpose of the study is to present very concrete information to the political spheres and to propose some orientations for future solutions. If you are an artist and have received the form, don't forget to send it in before Dec. 15, '99. (Dec. 14, 99) |
| MANU HERMIA PRESENTS HIS CD AT THE SOUNDS On Dec. 16, during a concert at the Brussels Sounds (rue de la Tulipe), alto saxophonist Manu HERMIA will present his latest CD "L'Esprit du Val" (IGLOO IGL 145), a quartet album with Erik VERMEULEN (piano), Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drums). (Dec. 11, 99) |
| LABEL BLEU REISSUES THE ALBUM OF THE "JAMES BALDWIN PROJECT" As announced, the French "Label Bleu" record label has reissued on CD the album "A Lover's Question" (LBLC 6607), a project originally recorded in '86 by vocalist David LINX and guitarist Pierre VAN DORMAEL and based upon texts (and his recorded voice) by US writer James BALDWIN and originally released on "Crepuscule records" in '87, with Steve COLEMAN (sax), Jimmy OWENS (tp), Slide HAMPTON (tb), Bob STEWART (tuba), Deborah BROWN (voc.), Byard LANCASTER (sax/fl), Youssef YANCY (tp, Theremin), Pierre VAIANA (sax), Diederik WISSELS (p), Toots THIELEMANS (harmonica), Michel HATZIGEORGIOU (el. bass) and Chris JORIS (perc.). (Dec. 9, 99) |
| "ANFASS", A NEW PROJECT BY ALAIN PIERRE Recently, Alain PIERRE announced a collaboration with Tunisian musicians. This project is now up and running including Steve HOUBEN, Fawzi CHEKILI and Hichem BADRANI. Last month, 24 to 27 November, the group performed in Tunisia, at the Centre des Musiques Arabes et Méditerranéennes. The concerts went well and got good reviews from the press, the public and local personalities like Anouar BRAHEM and Dhafer YOUSSEF). The concerts were recorded and copies will be available and distributed shortly. The group is only playing personal compositions by Alain PIERRE and Fawzi CHEKILI. The project has the particularity of uniting side flute and Nay (a tunisian instrument, flute, made of Bamboo) in a 100% acoustic environment. The group is called "ANFASS" (blowings). (Dec. 7, 99) |
| AKA MOON PARTICIPATES IN A PHILIPPE BOESMANS OPERA AT LA MONNAIE AKA MOON will participate in the world creation of a new opera written by Belgian classical composer Philippe BOESMANS, "Wintermärchen", to be presented at the the Brussels Opera House, La Monnaie, between Dec. 12 '99 and Jan. 2, 2000. Among other concerts, let's mention an appearance at the Vooruit in Ghent on Dec.16 with DJ GRAZZHOPPA (turntables) and Benoît DELBECQ (keyboards/samplers). (Dec. 6, 99) |
| MAISON DU JAZZ IN LIÈGE : THE CATALOG OF THEIR COLLECTIONS OF JAZZ RECORDINGS IS ON THEIR SITE The Liège MAISON DU JAZZ had already put on line its catalog of jazz videos and its catalog of 300 jazz books, with an alphabetical index. Now, their site also offers a catalog of their collection of 800 recordings : 78rpm, LPs, cassettes, CDs, DATs, etc... Moreover, their web site seems to shows signs of an increased activity, and for the future, projects abound : expect soon on-line versions of the discographies of great Belgian jazzmen of the past, such as : René THOMAS, Bobby JASPAR and Jacques PELZER, with photos, record covers, etc...And maybe for later the opportunity to download excerpts from their collections. (Dec. 5, 99) |
| JAZZ WORKSHOP FOR JAZZ NEWCOMERS On January 7, 8 & 9, 2000 and on June 23, 24 & 25 2000. A weekend of music. Main goals : discovery of the langage of jazz, improvisation, the pleasure of playing together, development of the harmonic and rhythmic perception. The workshop is conceived for amateur musicians and musicians curious of expanding their creative potential inside other music forms. Courses : instrument, harmony and theory, ensembles. Teachers : Stéphane MARTINI: guitar, improv, harmony Olivier STALON : bass & double bass, ensemble & rhythm Jean CAMPOS : drs, ensemble & rhythm Philippe LIBOIS : piano (ensemble) & harmony Olivier POUMAY : soloists, ensembles, improv, harmony Fee : 4.000 BEF. Where : Brussels, I.M.E.P. More details in our Jazz Education page, under "clinics". (Dec. 4, 99) |
| NEW MANU HERMIA CD ON IGLOO IGLOO records just released "L'esprit du Val" (IGL 145), a quartet album of alto saxophonist Manu HERMIA, with Erik VERMEULEN (piano), Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drums). (Dec. 3, 99) |
| 30.000 VISITORS Today, the counter of our home page has reached the 30.000 visitors. A figure probably below the reality, because this counter actually reflects the number of hits on the home page alone. Keep visiting us on a regular basis, we are adding new stuff almost every day. And thanks for your interest and your support to the Belgian jazz scene and its musicians. (Dec. 2, 99) |
| PRESENTATION OF THE NEW CD OF THE BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA On December 4th, '99, on the occasion of his concert at the Antwerp Singel during the "Night of Radio Drie" (VRT), the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA will present his new CD "The September Sessions" (W.E.R.F. 018), which contains compositions by his leader Frank VAGANÉE, and by Bert JORIS, Michel HERR, Erwin VANN and an arrangement by Florian ROSS (Germany). (Dec. 1, 99) |
| TOOTS THIELEMANS : DUO CD WITH JAPANESE PIANIST FUMIO KARASHIMA Emarcy records just released a duo CD with Toots THIELEMANS and Japanese pianist Fumio KARASHIMA. The CD is titled "Rencontre" (Emarcy 547 954-2) and was recorded in February '99. (Dec. 1, 99) |
| MARCUS MINGUS HAS A WEB SITE The Marcus Mingus jazz club, of which we announced the rebirth at hôtel ARLEQUIN, galerie de l'Ilot sacré, 17 rue de la Fourche, 1000 Brussels, is currently in the hands of a non-profit organisation (asbl) called The MARCUS MINGUS JAZZ EVENTS. They now have a brand new WEB SITE. Information: 02/5141615. (Dec. 1, 99) |
| PHILIP CATHERINE WITH SERGIO ASSAD Guitarist Philip CATHERINE appears on a track of a compilation CD of the GHA record label, which essentially produces albums of guitar players. He can be heard with Brazilian classical guitar virtuoso Sergio ASSAD, playing his composition "Arthur Rainbow". The album is titled "A Very Special Album" (GHA 126.045) and the Belgian based label has a WEB SITE. (Dec. 1, 99) |
| NEW ON THIS SITE : THEO DE JONG's BASS GUITAR TIPS, GILBERT ISBIN's GUITAR PIECES AND LESSONS Some of our musicians are not only distinguished for their talent and musicianship but for their pedagogic qualities as well. Many of you who participate(d) in the JAZZ AU VERT summer workshop know what we are talking about. Some of the musicians wish to bring out lessons, scores, tips… As of today, we start featuring, in our expanded JAZZ EDUCATION section, the material they put at our/your disposal. The first lessons to be published are from Theo de JONG sharing with you some tips about bassguitar playing. To follow, scores and tips from guitarist Gilbert ISBIN. (Nov. 28, 99) |
| ONE MORE LOCATION FOR JAZZ, IN BRUSSELS The recently opened Théâtre du Méridien (200 chée de la Hulpe, Boitsfort, Brussels) is a very nice place to visit. It also has superb acoustics. As of beginning of next year, a monthly jazz concert will be offered. We have the the program, with a.o. : Philip CATHERINE, Nathalie LORIERS trio, Jean-Pierre CATOUL & Charles LOOS etc... it is promising. (Nov. 25, 99) |
| THE BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA ON TOUR WITH BILL HOLMAN During the first week of December '99, the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA will give a few concerts with US composer and arranger Bill HOLMAN. Then, for another project organized by KBC Aquarius, at the Antwerp Singel, the band will be associated with pop singer Paul MICHIELS, with arrangements especially written by Bert JORIS. Note that the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA has its own extended site inside ours, with introduction texts, reviews, important achievements, discography, music samples, repertoire, composers/arrangers and concert schedule (click on "concert dates"). (Nov. 25, 99) |
| PHIL ABRAHAM'S TRIO CD IS OUT The new CD "Fredaines" (Lyrae LY 99020-C) of trombone player Phil ABRAHAM is being released today on the LYRAE label. The album, announced here a few weeks days ago, presents Phil not only playing the trombone, but also doing some scat vocals, with an international trio composed of French guitar player Fred FAVAREL and Dutch bassist Hein VAN DE GEYN. (Nov. 24, 99) |
| JEAN-PIERRE CATOUL & PETER HERTMANS CD "RESTLESS" The CD Restless (Quetzal QZ 109) of violin player Jean-Pierre CATOUL and guitar player Peter HERTMANS is now out on the QUETZAL label. The album, that we announced a weeks days ago, presents a selection of their compositions and features a rhythm section composed of Michel HERR (p, kb), Michel HATZIGEORGIOU (el. bass) and Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs). (Nov. 23, 99) |
| LES LUNDIS D'HORTENSE : NEW ADDRESS The Belgian Association of Jazz Musicians LES LUNDIS D'HORTENSE, has moved its office to a new location : rue Traversière 11, B-1210 Brussels. The address will ring a bell to those who are familiar with the Brussels jazz clubs scene. Indeed, the new office will be located two floors above the Travers. Phone and fax number are unchanged : 02/219-58-51 and 219-14-36. (Nov. 23, 99) |
| PAINTINGS INSPIRED BY JAZZ AT THE MAISON DU JAZZ IN LIÈGE The next art exhibition, as usual inspired by jazz, to take place at the Liège MAISON DU JAZZ will be devoted to the oil paintings of Madeleine REMY, from November 24 thru January 29, 2.000. Address : rue sur les Foulons 11, 000 Liè,ge. Phone : 04/221-10-11, fax : 221-22-32. (Nov. 23, 99) |
| COLOURS TO RELEASE "REBEL HEART" "Rebel Heart", COLOURS' new album, will be released on the 18th of December and will be distributed in the US while European distribution is sought. COLOURS, led by guitarist Frankie ROSE, will probably play a little tour in July around Washington DC and round Mexico City, too. (Nov. 22, 99) |
| TOOTS TO BE HONORED The Royal Conservatory of Antwerp will give the title "Maestro Honoris Causa" to Toots THIELEMANS on December, 2 1999. (Nov. 22, 99) |
| JAZZ' HALO ALSO DISTRIBUTES AVANT-GARDE JAZZ CDS JAZZ' HALO, the quarterly Flemish jazz magazine, also distributes via mail order the CDs from the catalogs of the following avant-garde jazz labels : ACT, AL SUR, AURICLE, KNITTING FACTORY, LEO RECORDS, PALMETTO, PASSIN' THRU, TRAURIGE TROPEN, W.E.R.F., WIMpro, 9 WINDS etc.... (Nov. 20, 99) |
| PAOLO RADONI'S NEW CD IS OUT Coast to coast (Lyrae LY 99018-C), the live CD of guitarist Paolo RADONI that we announced a few days ago, is now out. It features a quartet consisting of Ben SLUIJS (alto sax), Bas COOYMANS (bass) and Félix SIMTAINE (drums). (Nov. 19, 99) |
| A NEW JAZZCLUB SOON TO OPEN IN BRUSSELS We're hearing that a new jazz club is going to open in February 2000 in Brussels. Located in the very heart of the city, rue des Pierres, a few meters away from the Grand Place, the MUSIC VILLAGE will present concerts during the week days and the weekend with well known names, Belgian and international, in a classy environment that includes a restaurant. (Nov. 18, 99) |
| BRUNO CASTELLUCCI TOURS WITH HEINZ VON HERMANN Drummer Bruno CASTELLUCCI will be on tour these days with the quintet of Austrian saxophone/flute player Heinz VON HERMANN (with also Andy HADERER,tp., Erwin SCHMIDT, p., Uli LANGTHALER, b.). A second CD of the band, recorded in September '99 and titled "A Standard Treatment", is about to come out on the German MONS records. Bruno was already present on the first album "Jazz ahead". (Nov. 18, 99) |
| JEAN-LOU VANDERBORGHT'S UPCOMING CD Pianist Jean-Lou VANDERBORGHT has recorded the material for a future CD of old style jazz with bassist Paul DUBOIS and drummer Rudy FRANKEL. Date of release and label are still to be announced. The title will probably be "Connivences". (Nov. 18, 99) |
| GUY CABAY : NEW CD : WHEN WALLOON MEETS JAZZ, BOSSA NOVA AND MORE Walloon singer/songwriter, composer and vibraphone player Guy CABAY just released a new CD on his own Amon Laca label. Humorously titled (in Walloon) "THE BIÈSSE TOF" (yes, it sounds like "The Best of...!"), it features new renditions of songs that Guy presented on his very first LP. The participating musicians are Steve HOUBEN / Fabrice ALLEMAN (saxophones), Richard ROUSSELET, Jean-Pol STEFFENS, Guido JARDON (trumpet), Paolo LOVERI (guitar), Bart DE NOLF or Benoît VANDERSTRAETEN (bass), Mimi VERDERAME (drums), and PANTA RHEI, HELIOTROPE strings and others. Some new arrangements have been written by Pirly ZURSTRASSEN (Nov. 17, 99) |
| "NOIR, BLANC, JAZZ..." EXHIBITION In the framework of Brussels 2000 a photos exhibition by Pascal DUCOURANT is offered at
02-662 16 99 Wednesday through Saturday 14h-18h, Sunday 10h-13h (Nov. 16, 99) |
| RTBF TV BROADCASTS FRENCH MOVIE "LE COUP DU LAPIN", MUSIC BY MICHEL HERR On November 16, '99, RTBF television "La Une" will broadcast "Le Coup du Lapin", a film produced by France 2 and directed by Didier GROUSSET. Pianist/composer Michel HERR, who wrote and recorded the soundtrack, surrounded himself for the occasion with well known jazzmen such as Fabrice ALLEMAN (saxes, fl/clar), Gino LATTUCA (tp), Fabien DEGRYSE (gt), Bart DE NOLF (basse), Frédéric JACQUEMIN (drs), as well as a string quartet. (Nov. 13, 99) |
| EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS OF BELGIAN JAZZMEN ON PIERRE DULIEU's SITE We have already mentioned the nice site that jazz critic Pierre DULIEU has created. Besides record reviews (Belgian and international), he also offers now an interesting gallery of his photos of Belgian jazzmen. See them here. The only exception is an incredible photograph that he included, taken in '92 , with Coleman HAWKINS, Jacques BAILY (sax) and a very young and hardly recognizable Bruno CASTELLUCCI. Take a good look ! (Nov. 11, 99) |
| FRANCY BOLAND : 70th BIRTHDAY Francy BOLAND, the master Belgian pianist/composer/arranger who made a brilliant contribution to jazz, a.o. with the music he wrote for the famous Kenny CLARKE- Francy BOLAND Big Band in the sixties, celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday. Francy now lives in Switserland, in Genève, where he slowed down his activities. His large discography is partly available on CD. See his page. (Nov. 07, 99) |
PIERRE VAIANA FANFARNIENTE WORKSHOP
97 rue de Verrewinkel (behind the sports hall) 1180 BRUSSELS (UCCLE) TRAM 55, STATION : KALLEVOET under the direction of Pierre VAIANA and Jonathan FOX
Please bring : a pair of ears in workin condition, your instrument, comfortable clothes, a simple melody (no a real composition) Don't take : music paper, music stand Age : 18 minimum and 3 years of instrumental practice.
Asbl Talìa 77 rue des Champs Elysées 1050 Bruxelles |
| MARCUS MINGUS REBOUNDS The club has been out of action for 5 months now. The manager, Alain Mercier, informs a resumption of activity. The fruit of collaboration with the hôtel ARLEQUIN, galerie de l'îlot sacré, 17 rue de la fourche, 1000 Brussels ( where cinéma Actors Studio is located ) , jam-sessions and concerts would take place as of November 11.
The jams will happen each Thursday, as of 21h, and the concerts on Friday and Saturday, also as of 21:30h. Opening weekend program :
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| IVAN PADUART, A BELGIAN JAZZMAN IN MOLDAVIA "October 20th : arrival, on a rainy evening, at the Kishinev airport, capital of Moldavia (700 000 habitants). Very warm reception by the festival organizer in this ex Soviet republic where the economic situation is dramatic, to the extent that public locations start to be heated only by mid November. The next day a master class at the conservatory, about 100 persons attending, half of them Romanian speaking the rest speak Russian. Their theoretical knowledge of jazz is poor but all of them show eagerness and curiosity. That evening I am invited to the "Black Elephant", the jazz place in vogue in town where the youngsters style is the post Stalin era. It is there that the after concert jam session takes place. Next day I play in trio at the town philharmonic for an audience of about 500 persons (2 rappels, a dozen CDs sold, good operation...) On the third day, after last master class I gave, took place what I consider as the highlight of the festival: the quartet of Andrei Lobanov, a Moscow trumpeter of rugged physic and a determined look… a great musician of technical approach beyond critic. Ivan Farmakovski, pianist, also from Moscow, 26 years brilliantly demonstrated that like everywhere else, the top jazz musicians are bred in big cities. Powellian Melodious, rhythmic daring a la Kirkland... all to please... somewhat an Antonio Farao of the East... I would conclude by saying that while a number of countries, in the East, privilege Folk music or Gypsy over Jazz, Russia reveals some soloists of very high level who have nothing to envy their New York peers. (Nov. 06, 99) |
| MAISON DU JAZZ IN LIÈGE : BOOKS AND VIDEO CATALOG ON LINE We already informed you that the Liège MAISON DU JAZZ had put on line its catalog of jazz videos. Now, they have added to their site their catalog of 300 jazz books, with an alphabetical index. (Nov. 05, 99) |
| EDDY LOUISS TRIO LP WITH RENÉ THOMAS NOW REISSUED ON CD BY DREYFUS The French label DREYFUS has just reissued a famous trio album that French organ player Eddy LOUISS had recorded in 1968 with Belgian guitarist René THOMAS and US drummer Kenny CLARKE. The reissue is titled "Eddy Louiss Trio" (Dreyfus FDM 36501-9) and includes a.o. René's composition "Blue Tempo". (Nov. 05, 99) |
| COMBLAIN-LA-TOUR JAZZ FESTIVAL REMEMBERED BY AN EXHIBITION, A WEB PAGE AND A FILM The Liège MAISON DU JAZZ has put together an exhibition centered on the historical Comblain-La-Tour Jazz Festival, which took place until the mid sixties. The exhibition was shown during the Jazz à Liège Festival '99, and more recently in Comblain itself. Moreover, large portions of the exhibition are now viewable on their web site. Really worth the detour. And finally, a documentary film is in the making, produced by Gsara, with various documents and new interviews. (Nov. 05, 99) |
| NEW CD OF JACQUES STOTZEM Guitarist Jacques STOTZEM is about to release a new album. It will come out end of November. The title will be " Connections ". It includes two duets with guitar player Jacques PIROTTON and a duet with Thierry CROMMEN (harmonica). (Nov. 03, 99) |
| MORE CDS EXPECTED FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER The last weeks of '99 will be very fertile in new releases. To sum up:
(Nov. 03, 99) |
| BRANDFORD MARSALIS & FRED WILBAUX Saxophone player Michel MAINIL is also the organizer of a concert featuring the Branford MARSALIS 4tet on November 11 '99 at 20:00, Théâtre de La Louvière (in collaboration with Audi Jazz festival). The line-up is : Joey CALDERAZZO (piano), Eric REVIS (bass), Jeff "Tain" WATTS (drums) Pianist Fred WILBAUX will do the opening act piano solo. Fred plays very rarely in public so it is an occasion to hear his fine musicianship and enjoy the other group (Nov. 01, 99) |
| HELIOS QUARTET SHORT EUROPEAN TOUR AMR, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND : FRIDAY NOVEMBER 12TH NEVERS JAZZ FESTIVAL, FRANCE : SATURDAY NOVEMBER 13TH Emmanuelle Somer's CD "The Apple Tree" (Helios Quartet + Tone Poets) is available in Benelux, France, Switzerland and United States in the main CD stores, as well as online (emmanuellesomer@hotmail.com)... and SOON OUT OF PRINT!!!! Emmanuelle will soon have a website at the URL : www.gis.net. Emmanuelle and Jarrod will be mainly in Europe for the next 6 months, and thus available for European projects ! Next main tour: TONE POETS (Emmanuelle, Jarrod CAGWIN, Vincent COURTOIS on cello), in March 2000. (Nov. 01, 99) |
| JAZZ IN BELGIUM : 3RD ANNIVERSARY... AND SOME HICCUPS The web site Jazz in Belgium that you are currently visiting, and whose aim is the promotion of the Belgian jazz musicians and the Belgian jazz scene in general, is now three years old. We decided to go on-line on October 28, '96. We intended to friendly remind you about this anniversary two days ago, but our ISP decided they had to upgrade their DNS and stuff like that. So as a result, oops, the procedure caused several interruptions of the site, for which we apogolize, although we cannot be taken for responsible. Many of you even expressed by email their concern about the survival of the site. Fortunately, things seem to have gone back to (almost) normal, and we are back to work. Anyway, since October '96, the site has received more than 28.000 visitors. This figure is only a partial indication of the traffic, as it only represents the hits on the home page alone. Here are a few more figures : we had to create (and daily update) more than 1.100 files, a number that is growing every day. The site offers more than 200 resumes of Belgian jazz musicians, more than 100 band pages, about one hundred recent Belgian jazz CD pages, and tons of miscellaneous informations on the Belgian jazz scene. We hope you'll keep paying us frequent visits, we 're adding stuff every day. Your comments, suggestions and encouragements are always welcome. Thanks for your support. (Oct. 30, 99) |
| TOOTS IN NEW YORK WITH TWO ALL STARS TRIOS Toots THIELEMANS recently played two weeks at the Iridium in New York, one in trio with pianist Kenny WERNER and tenor sax player Joe LOVANO, the other one in trio with Kenny WERNER and bassist Steve SWALLOW. (Oct. 29, 99) |
| BERT JORIS ON ENRICO PIERANUNZI'S CD, AND ON TOUR WITH OWN QUARTET (Oct. 28, 99) |
| MIKE DEL FERRO BETWEEN JAZZ AND OPERA Dutch pianist Mike DEL FERRO just finished new recordings for his next CD called "Belcanto", on which are 13 of his arrangements on 13 Opera Arias and Neapolitan songs for solo piano and piano trio. This CD will be released in November and is dedicated to the memory of his father, opera singer Len DEL FERRO who passed away in 1992. This project will be on tour during next season. "Make someone happy ", his CD with Toots THIELEMANS and the beautiful voice of the Brazilian singer Sonia Genú has been released last March and was received excellently by the critics. For more information, cds, sounds and concerts, visit Mike's web site : http://www.euronet.nl/~tuffie/ (Oct. 26, 99) |
| THE "LION S'ENVOILE" DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION The Liège club "LE LION S'ENVOILE", known for twenty years of loyal services to the jazz cause, had to close down a few months ago. Since then, the organizing team (with a.o. Albert SAUER, Bernard LEGROS and Alain FANZY) was hoping to find a new location for their club, but without success, at least so far. According to them, they put their last hope in an offer coming from the Liège area. So, if you think you have a place to put at their disposal, don't hesitate to contact them at Bernard.Legros@village.uunet.be. (Oct. 26, 99) |
| CLUB SCENE IN BELGIUM AND FRANCE ON "JAZZ VALLEY" We 've added in our LIVE JAZZ PAGE a link to the JAZZ VALLEY site, that lists day by day the programs of the clubs in Belgium and in France. The site exists in two versions : in English and French. You'll also find a database of jazz musicians, and you'll even have the possibility to subscribe to a service allowing you to receive by e-mail the announcements of concerts regarding musicians of your own choice ! (Oct. 25, 99) |
| OCTURN : A NEW START Thanks to recent sudsidies from the Flemish Ministry, the band OCTURN will be able to develop its activities in the future. Flute player Pierre BERNARD and pianist Fabian FIORINI are to join the band, and commissions for new material have been made to composers such as Kenny WERNER, Denis POUSSEUR, Neal KIRKWOOD, Walter HUS, Frederic RZEWSKI, etc... A tour is planned for December '99. (Oct. 24, 99) |
| SADI CELEBRATES HIS 72th BIRTHDAY On this October 23rd, Belgian vibraphone player/composer/arranger SADI celebrates his 72th birthday. On this occasion, Philippe BARON will invite him to his radio shows on RTBF (18:15 on La Première and 23:15 on Musique Trois, both on week days). An occasion to refresh everyone's memories of SADI's musical acomplishments. (Oct. 23, 99) |
| MÄÄK'S SPIRIT : NEW LINE-UP The band MÄÄK'S SPIRIT will soon go on tour with a modified line-up : Laurent BLONDIAU (tp), Jeroen VAN HERZEELE (ten. sax), Nicolas THYS (bass), Eric THIELEMANS (drs), Anne VAN DER PLASSCHE (voc.), Ghalia BENALI (voc.) + other guests. Check the Jazz Tour Dates. (Oct. 23, 99) |
| MANU HERMIA PREPARES NEW CD Alto saxophonist Manu HERMIA is working on a new album, in quartet with Erik VERMEULEN (p), Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs). To be released by the end of the year by IGLOO Records. Also, check their Jazz Tour Dates. (Oct. 23, 99) |
| SABAM REVAMPS ITS WEB SITE SABAM, the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers, has completely rebuilt its web site. See it at http://www.sabam.be, for the moment in French and Flemish. The site offers a.o. infos and services for members of all artistic disciplines, but also infos on how to become a member, infos for users, as well as useful adresses and links in the field of art et culture in Belgium. (Oct. 22, 99) |
| CROSSOVER NEWS : DANIEL ROMEO'S CD, NICOLAS THYS INTERVIEW (Oct. 21, 99) |
| NEW PLACES FOR JAZZ IN BRUSSELS There are a few new places in Brussels where live jazz can be heard : every Wednesday : jam session, every Thursday : Antoine PRAWERMAN & Mad Spirit every Tuesday : Didier INDOT invites (jam session) every Thursday (21:30) : Babs All Stars (old style jazz). (Oct. 20, 99) |
| NO VIBRATO : A SECOND CD NO VIBRATO has recorded a second CD in August at the Molière Studio in Brussels. Personel :
"HERE & NOW" will be officially released on November 12th at the Travers. A promotional tour will take place afterwards. (Oct. 18, 99) |
| LABEL BLEU TO REISSUE THE CD OF THE "JAMES BALDWIN PROJECT" The French "Label Bleu" record label intends to reissue on CD the album "A Lover's Question", a project by guitarist Pierre VAN DORMAEL and vocalist David LINX based upon texts by US writer James BALDWIN and originally released on "Crepuscule records" in '87, with Steve COLEMAN (sax), Slide HAMPTON (tb), Bob STEWART (tuba), Pierre VAIANA (sax), Diederik WISSELS (p), Toots THIELEMANS (harmonica), Chris JORIS (perc.). We'll keep you posted. (Oct. 17, 99) |
| NEW "EUROPEAN JAZZ FOUNDATION" PRESENTS "EUROJAZZ AWARDS" NIGHT IN BRUSSELS On February 11 2000, the newly created EUROPEAN JAZZ FOUNDATION will organize at the Brussels Cirque Royal the first "Eurojazz Awards" with a tv coverage by RTBF and France 3. More details about the European Jazz Foundation, that will soon have its office in Brussels, and about that special evening in our EURODJANGO page (in French). (Oct. 17, 99) |
| A MUSIC FAIR IN BRUSSELS : VIVA MUSICA Between October 21 and 24, the first edition of a new music fair called "VIVA MUSICA" will take place at the Brussels Palais des Congrès. All professions and services related to music will be covered, and Belgian jazz will be present, a.o. with a concert of Greetings from Mercury on the opening night. Infos : 0900/288 22 (18 BEF/minute). (Oct. 17, 99) |
JAZZ IN LITTLE BELGIUM : NEW EDITION OF THE DISCOGRAPHIC VOLUME
A new version of this discography will be ready in November 1999 at the latest. The notes accompanying the discography are in English.
The book may be ordered right now by sending the corresponding amount to the bank-account..035.3277762.76, or by Eurocheque, cheque.
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| OCTOBER 15 : RTBF TV BROADCASTS PORTRAIT OF JEANFRANÇOIS PRINS On October 15 '99 (14:45) RTBF TV La Une will broadcast again the portrait that they realized of guitarist Jeanfrançois PRINS in the series "Oeuvres en Chantier", devoted to portraits of young Belgian artists. (Oct. 13, 99) |
| DE WERF STARTS WEB SITE DE WERF, both a record producer (see our own W.E.R.F. page) and a cultural center that organizes concerts and dance events, just opened its own WEB SITE. (Oct. 13, 99) |
| MAXIME BLESIN : FIRST CD OF HIS QUINTET Guitarist Maxime BLESIN has a first CD out with his Belgian/French Quintet composed of Eric PROST (ten. sax), Emmanuel DUPREY (p), Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Mourad BENHAMOU (drs). The album, recorded in July '99, is titled "Maxime Blesin Quintet" and is available on the "Organic Records" label (OR 001). (Oct. 12, 99) |
| NEWS FROM "LES LUNDIS D'HORTENSE"
The Journal of " Les Lundis D'Hortense" (the Belgian Association of Jazz Musicians), published every 3 months, has a new look and gains in substance : besides the annoucements of the concerts organized by the association (Midis Jazz and Jazz Tours), it contains three exclusive interviews of Belgian jazz musicians : trumpet player Laurent BLONDIAU, saxophone player Manu HERMIA and drummer/vibist Jan DE HAAS. One of these days, we'll try to to put this issue on-line on this site. Meanwhile, for more infos about the concerts of the 1999-2000 season , see the Les Lundis D'Hortense page. The "Les Lundis D'Hortense" organize solo concerts one monday a month at noon (12:30) at the Brussels Conservatory (rue de la Régence 30, Brussels). Program until the end of the year : These concerts are being organized in collaboration with "Jeunesses Musicales de Bruxelles" and the Brussels Conservatory. In collaboration with the "Plate-forme Nationale des Artistes", "Les Lundis d'Hortense" organize an information meeting on the topic "the artist's status in Belgium". On October 28 (14:00) at the Travers, rue Traversière 11, Brussels. The jazz musicians are welcome to contribute with their testimonies. (Oct. 12, 99) |
| ODE FOR JOE 2ND ALBUM, FROM DE WERF 'Ode For Joe' is Peter HERTMANS and Jeroen VAN HERZEELE's homage band (with Sal LA ROCCA;bass and Jan DE HAAS, drs) to Joe HENDERSON's 'modal' music, once a revolutionary art movement co-founded by HENDERSON. Many of his beautiful compositions, however, were hardly ever performed. 'Ode For Joe' is reminiscent of both the Blue Note period of the Sixties and the Milestone period of the Seventies, yet should not be looked upon as a pure reproduction of Joe Henderson's music. The band's very own instrumental composition and its members' personalities yield a specific, creative sound. The 1st CD of Ode For Joe (Igloo 123) was recorded live at Gaume Festival de Jazz in Rossignol in 1995. the new CD, titled "CARIBBEAN FIRE DANCE" (W.E.R.F. 017), is a studio recording, realised during July / August 1999 at Studio Jet Bruxelles.
"Caribbean Fire Dance" (w.e.r.f. 017) will be distributed by AMG and can be ordered directly from De Werf, as well as other titles for 700 FB (V.A.T. & postage incl.). |
| MUSICAL EQUIPMENT STOLEN FROM XAVIER TRIBOLET stolen on October 8 at midnight, parking of l'Ancienne Belgique, Brussels:
(Oct. 11, 99) |
| QUETZAL NEWS : TOOTS LIVE CD Patrick BAUWENS & QUETZAL records have the great pleasure to announce the release of "The Live Takes Vol. 1" (QZ 108) by Toots THIELEMANS on October 25th.,1999 The album will be distributed by Virgin. This document contains 7 live tracks taken from original recordings made by Vincent Tempels from Arto during Belgian concerts between 1994 and 1998. An additional 2 live tracks were recorded at Birdland in New York and remixed in Brussels.
2. Começar de novo (I. Lins) recorded at Birdland in NY, USA - November 1997 3. Hard to say goodbye (T.Thielemans) recorded at Birdland in NY, USA - November 1997 4. Stardust (M. Parish / H.Carmichael ) recorded at De Singel in Antwerpen, Belgium - December 1998 5. Body and Soul (Green / Heyman / Sour / Eyton) recorded at La Luna in Brussels, Belgium - February 1995 6. I do it for your love (P. Simon) recorded at the Forum in Liège, Belgium - March 1994 7. Three views of a secret (J. Pastorius) recorded at the Forum in Liège, Belgium - March 1994 8. All the way (J. Van Heusen / S. Cahn) recorded at the Biblos in Kalmhout, Belgium - February 1995 9. That misty red beast (R. Van Otterloo) recorded at De Ploter in Ternat, Belgium - April 1994
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| DOWNLOADABLE MP3 JAZZ FROM NETBEAT The NETBEAT server has started offering MP3 downloadable music. The first album chosen for this new method is "Bohemia After Dark" recorded by saxophone player Steve HOUBEN with Czech pianist Emil VICLICKY. Downloading is against payment, approx. 60 BEF/piece and can be paid via credit card or Proton (Belgian users). Simply click on the yellow icon to the right of the title you want. More jazz collections to follow in the near future. (Oct. 10, 99) |
| JEGGPAP NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND : 3 CDS ON THE RENÉ GAILLY RECORD LABEL The Belgian record label "René Gailly ", which specializes in classical music -a.o. the Queen Elisabeth competition CDs-, also has some jazz productions in its catalog. It is not clear if they still have some stock left over from the old "Jazz Cats" LP series, but it is sure that have three CDs of the traditional jazz band "Jeggpap New Orleans Jazz Band" : Infos via e-mail : rene.gailly@skynet.be (Oct. 10, 99) |
| BELGIAN JAZZMEN TEAM UP WITH EUROPEAN COLLEAGUES IN CINEY The recent Ciney Jazz Night was a good illustration of the developing collaborations between Belgian jazzmen and their European colleagues : (Oct. 10, 99) |
| ERWIN VANN'S CD "WORLDS" NOW AVAILABLE The new label J.A.S. Records announces the release of the CD Worlds of saxophonist/composer Erwin VANN, an ambitious project featuring original compositions of the saxophonist, played by Kenny WHEELER (tp), Norma WINSTONE (vocals), Dré PALLEMAERTS (drs), Lindsey HORNER (bass), Pete McCANN (gt), Adama DRAMÉ and Chris JORIS (perc.), voices, a string quartet, David LINX (vocals), Michel HERR (keyboards). (Oct. 9, 99) |
| CHRIS JORIS TO RECORD LIVE SOLO CD AT D'IMPRIMERIE Percussionnist Chris JORIS will record a live solo CD during two evenings that will take place on November 4 & 6 (19:30), '99 at "D'IMPRIMERIE" (Rue des Fabriques 43, B-1000 Brussels). It will be a dinner evening, for 850 BEF to be paid to the following bank acount : 310-1270619-05 before October 20th. The record should be released by Pascal NOEL on his LYRAE label. (Oct. 8, 99) |
| NEW AT THE LIÈGE MAISON DU JAZZ : VIDEO CATALOG NOW ON-LINE, ETC... The Liège LA MAISON DU JAZZ is worth regular visits. Recently, they have added a report covering the evening "100 Years of Jazz in Wallonia" that drew 1.600 people to the Liège Forum on September 11 '99, with photographs by Jimmy VAN DER PLAS (click on the "Hot House" button), and an impressive on-line catalog of their video archives : 1.100 artists, 216 VHS tapes, to be seen on location only (click on the "Trésors" button). (Oct. 6, 99) |
| NEW BELGO-TUNISIAN BAND They play original compositions by Alain PIERRE and Fawzi CHEKILI. They will be in concert at the "Centre des Musiques Arabes et Méditerranéennes" (CMAM) in Tunis between November 24-27 1999. Concerts in Belgium are planned for Spring 2000 (March 24, 2000 in Liège , March 31st 2000 in Waremme) (Oct. 6, 99) |
| AUDI JAZZ FESTIVAL '99 HAS A WEB SITE The AUDI Jazz Festival, which takes place in October/November '99 everywhere in Belgium, has a web site at the following URL : http://www.audijazz.be/ . (Oct. 3, 99) |
| FABRICE ALLEMAN's CARTE BLANCHE IN MONS : PREMIERE OF "FABRICE ALLEMAN's ONE SHOT" On October 3 (17:30), saxophonist Fabrice ALLEMAN will receive a "carte blanche" in his home town Mons. He will introduce a Special Project first presenting his regular Quartet with Michel HERR (p), Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE (bass) and Frédéric JACQUEMIN (drs), then a new electric band named "Fabrice ALLEMAN's ONE SHOT" with Michel HERR (p/kb), Frédéric JACQUEMIN (drs), Jean-Pierre CATOUL (vl), Paolo LOVERI (gt), Benoît VANDERSTRAETEN (el. b.) and on this occasion, two African percussionists from Burkina Faso : Boris TCHANGO and Zoumana DEMBELE (Oct. 2, 99) |
| DAVID LINX PARTICIPATES IN LATEST CD OF MICHEL BENITA Singer David LINX appears on the latest CD of French bassist Michel BENITA, for which he wrote some lyrics, too. The album is titled "Lower the Walls" "(Label Bleu LBLC 6611) and also features Andy SHEPPARD (tsax), Sylvain LUC (gt), Bobby THOMAS (drs, perc.) and François VERLY (tablas). (Oct. 1, 99) |
| MIMI VERDERAME AND BILLY COBHAM : SOLO PERFORMANCE AND DRUM CLINIC On October 1st '99, the Fool Moon Theatre in Brussels presents solo performances and drums workshops by two outstanding drummers : Mimi VERDERAME and Billy COBHAM. (Sept 30, 99) |
| PHILIPPE AERTS : COMING HOME, SOON Message received from bassist Philippe AERTS, who lived in New York for a couple of years :
I'll send you my new address soon. Philippe Aerts |
| JAZZ HOEILAART '99 WINNERS (Sept. 28, 99) |
| NICOLAS THYS IN THE BIG APPLE One more Belgian worm in the Big Apple : bassist Nicolas THYS has moved to New York (Brooklyn) to be musically active on the New York scene. But his fans over here will be glad to hear that Nicolas has also accepted a few engagements late October in Belgium. (Sept. 28, 99) |
| NEW ARRIVAL Gino & Valérie are happy to announce their new born, Luca Lattuca, last Saturday September 25th. (Sept. 27, 99) |
| ALEXI TUOMARILA AND HIS BELGIAN QUARTET WIN EUROP' JAZZ CONTEST '99 Alexi TUOMARILA (25) has won the first Prize at the '99 Europ' Jazz Contest in Hoeilaart. The Finnish pianist, who currently studies in Brussels (first with Diederik WISSELS and now with Nathalie LORIERS presented his Belgian quartet with Nicolas KUMMERT (20, tenor sax), Christophe DEVISSCHER (28, bass) and Teun VERBRUGGEN (24, drs). The Prize of the best rendition of a Belgian jazz theme awarded by the Belgian Artistic Promotion of SABAM went to the duo Thomas WALLISCH (gt, Austria)/Gustavo CASENAVE (p, kb, USA) for their version of "Tension free zone", by pianist Léon LHOEST. (Sept. 26, 99) |
| BERT JORIS HAS MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES Trumpet player and composer/arranger Bert JORIS has recently toured with the big band of the Swiss Jazz School. He led the band in a program of his own compositions and arrangements he wrote on music by guitarist Philip CATHERINE, who also was the guest soloist of the band. Bert JORIS played in Paris, at the "Duc des Lombards" with the quintet of Italian pianist Enrico PIERANUNZI. Finally, acting as a producer, he supervised the recordings of the forthcoming CD of the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, also conducting his own pieces. (Sept. 25, 99) |
| J@ZZ@ROUND # 21 IS OUT The September/October issue of the jazz magazine J@ZZ@ROUND is available. Check its contents in our J@zz@round Page. Tuba player Michel MASSOT makes the cover. (Sept. 21, 99) |
| ALEXANDRE PLUMACKER WITH ROB BRUYNEN AND HIS DUTCH BIG BAND Belgian trumpet player Alexandre PLUMACKER is a member of the big band of Dutch trumpet player Rob BRUYNEN (who played a.o. with the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany). The band recorded in '98 the album "Brownie Speaks first" (Telstar TCD 1055-2), which is now on the market. (Sept. 17, 99) |
| JAZZ TOURS 99-2000 OF LUNDIS D'HORTENSE : DETAILS AVAILABLE The Association of Belgian Jazz Musicians LES LUNDIS D'HORTENSE has made public the detailed program of the jazz tours of the season 99-2000. The participating bands will be : Charly D'INVERNO Quartet, Jan DE HAAS Quartet, MÄÄK's SPIRIT, Augustin FOLY Quartet, Manu HERMIA, GUEST LIST (CASTELLUCCI/CATOUL/LOOS/COOYMANS), SLANG, POPULO-JAZZ LIMOUSINE, BEN NGABO, GREETINGS FROM MERCURY, Olivier COLLETTE Quartet, SOUL & SOUR Jazz Quartet, HAPPY REUNION (Bo VAN DER WERF), Marco LOCURCIO Group, Fabien DEGRYSE , A TRAIN Sextet... See Jazz-Tours 99/2000 for where and when.. (Sept. 16, 99) |
| AKA MOON IN COLUMBIA Received from Stéphane GALLAND:
We are here with AKA MOON for a concert and a master class. Tomorrow, on Thursday, it is the master class and on Friday the concert in a park wher they expect 12.000 people. The weather is rainy and fresh, but I'm sure that on Friday, the sun will be out. Until later for more adventures." Stéphane. |
| CHRISTIAN LEROY : FILM MUSIC FOR NANOOK AND DRACULA ON CD Pianist/composer Christian LEROY has recorded the music he conceived for the silent movies "Nanook" and "Dracula" with his band "Métarythmes de l'air", that includes Philippe SAUCEZ (clar.), Jeannot GILLIS (vl), Pierre NARCISSE (perc.) and José BEDEUR (bass). The album is titled "Nanouk l'Esquimau/Dracula" (GD 205) and is available on the Bulgarian GEGA label. (Sept. 15, 99) |
| JAN DE HAAS : FIRST CD AS A LEADER The IGLOO label has just released the first album as a leader of drummer/vibist Jan DE HAAS, titled "For the One and Only" (Igl 138). Mostly featured on vibes, Jan is surrounded by Nathalie LORIERS (p, org.), Piet VERBIST (b) and Hans VAN OOSTERHOUT. (Sept. 13, 99) |
| MONTHLY NOON CONCERTS IN LIÈGE The Liège MAISON DU JAZZ organizes a series of jazz concerts on Mondays at noon at the Petit Théâtre de l'Opéra, rue de la Casquette, in Liège. On October 4 (12:15), the opening concert will present the Manu HERMIA Quartet with Erik VERMEULEN (p), Sal LA ROCCA, Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs). The following concerts will be announced in the coming weeks, a.o. on the Web Site of the Maison du Jazz. (Sept. 13, 99) |
| 100 YEARS OF JAZZ IN WALLONIA : FULL HOUSE AND SOME SURPRISES... On September 11, at the Liège Forum, the special concert "100 Years of Jazz in Wallonia" was a big success. On stage, under the musical direction of pianist/composer Michel HERR and saxophonist/flutist Steve HOUBEN, an impressive succession of bands with a.o. Félix SIMTAINE's ACT BIG BAND, Phil ABRAHAM, Jacques PIROTTON, Nathalie LORIERS, Guy CABAY etc... played music by Belgian jazz greats of the past and the present : René THOMAS, Bobby JASPAR, SADI, Francy BOLAND, Michel HERR, Charles LOOS... One of the surprises of the evening occurred when SADI went on stage to conduct himself a couple of his big band charts. (Sept. 12, 99) |
| PIERRE VAIANA & FOOFANGO : NEW CD Soprano saxophonist Pierre VAIANA has a new VD out with his FOOFANGO band : Désiré SOME (gt, voc.), Alain NYAME (b, voc) , Zoumana DEMBELE (perc.), Michel SEBA (perc.) and Boris TCHANGO (drs, perc.). The album is titled "FOOFANGO" (CJ 006), the label is Contre-Jour. (Sept. 12, 99) |
| PHOTOS OF BELGIAN JAZZMEN BY PATRICK LORÉA Photographer Patrick LORÉA has created a web site with many of his photos of jazzman, a.o. AKA MOON, Eric LEGNINI, Nicolas THYS, Félix SIMTAINE, Bruno CASTELLUCCI, Philip CATHERINE, David LINX, Paolo RADONI, Gino LATTUCA, Anca PARGHEL, etc... See them at http://users.swing.be/loreap/ . (Sept. 9, 99) |
| BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA RECORDS NEW CD The BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, the superb big band led by saxophonist Frank VAGANÉE is currently in the VRT studios to record a new CD that will present compositions by a.o. Bert JORIS, Michel HERR, Erwin VANN and Frank VAGANÉE. The composers were present in the studio to conduct their own pieces. The CD should be released on the VRT Radio label. (Sept. 5, 99) |
| NEW ON THIS SITE : ART GALLERY We have a new page that presents art photos of Belgian jazz musicians (The musician currently in the spotlight is saxophonist Jeroen VAN HERZEELE). See these photos by JL in the ART GALLERY pages. (Sept. 5, 99) |
| AKA MOON IN THE STUDIO AKA MOON was recently in the recording studio in Brussels to record more music written by saxophonist Fabrizio CASSOL for the trio, enlarged with several guests : a.o. Laurent BLONDIAU (tp), Pierre BERNARD (fl), Vincent JACQUEMAIN (cl), Geoffroy DE MASURE (tb), Fabian FIORINI (p), Erwin VANN (ts), Bo VAN DER WERF (bar. sax) etc... The CD is to be released by the Carbon 7 label. (Sept. 4, 99) |
| FINAL BAR : ROGER EGGERMONT Accordeon virtuoso Roger EGGERMONT died on August 30, '99, after a long illness. Roger was a familiar figure in the radio and recording studios, often playing jazz with the BRT Jazz Orchestra. (Sept. 1st, 99) |
| RTBF TV LA DEUX : SEPT. 4, '99 (20:00) : SWEET SUBSTITUTES On Sept. 4, '99 (20:00), RTBF TV LA DEUX will broadcast a concert of SWEET SUBSTITUTES recorded during the last edition of the Gaume Jazz Festival on August 14. With Paul DUBOIS (b, voc), Charles LOOS (p), Paolo RADONI (gt), Jean-Pol DANHIER (tb), Richard ROUSSELET (tp), Dieter LIMBOURG (cl, ts), Luc VANDEN BOSCH (drs). (Aug. 30, 99) |
| NEW ON THIS SITE : FUN STUFF PAGE One more reason to visit us on a regular basis : the new FUN STUFF page, with some funny photo collages featuring some familiar faces of the Belgian jazz scene. Unpretentious, with all respect due, but funny. (Aug. 30, 99) |
| NUIT DU JAZZ, A CHARITY CONCERT On Friday 17/09/1999, 20:00, for the non-profit organization "Et si vous preniez un enfant en vacances" : Paolo RADONI (gt), Charles LOOS (p), Nathalie LORIERS (p), Gino LATTUCA (tp), Philip CATHERINE (gt), Phil ABRAHAM (tb), Barbara WIERNIK (voc), ECAROH, BUSTER AND THE SWING... Théâtre Le Marni, Brussels, rue de Vergnies 23/25 Ixelles 02/537 90 55 (Aug. 28, 99) |
| MICHEL HERR WRITES AND RECORDS SOUNDTRACK FOR A FRENCH TV FILM Pianist/Composer Michel HERR has just written and recorded the soundtrack for a movie produced by French tv France 2, titled "Le Coup du Lapin" (directed by Didier GROUSSET). Among the other musicians involved in the recording sessions were Fabrice ALLEMAN (saxes and reeds), Gino LATTUCA (tp), Fabien DEGRYSE (gt), Bart DE NOLF (bass), Frédéric JACQUEMIN (drs), plus a string quartet. (Aug. 27, 99) |
| SABAM PRIZE AT GAUME JAZZ FESTIVAL FOR PIERRE VAIANA The SABAM/BAP/PAB prize of the public during the '99 edition of the Gaume Jazz festival went to saxophonist Pierre VAIANA and his African band FOOFANGO. (Aug. 27, 99) |
| ERIC LEGNINI APPEARS ON ERIC LE LANN'S SOUNDTRACK Those who watched French television lately may have noticed that French trumpet player Eric LE LANN wrote the music for a '98 documentary film on French writer Nicole DE BEAUVOIR and that pianist Eric LEGNINI had participated in the soundtrack. (Aug. 27, 99) |
| MIDIS JAZZ - CHANGE OF VENUE & DAY Due to renovations, the coming season of the LUNDIS d'HORTENSE's MIDIS Jazz of the will not take place at the Musée Charlier, like the previous years.
rue de la Régence, 30. First concert, Michel HATZI, on October 18th, 12:30h For program see our MIDIs JAZZ PAGE
For the October & November JAZZTOUR schedules (the full pgm will be available soon) see our JAZZ TOUR PAGE. |
| MIMI VERDERAME HAS A NEW ALBUM OUT Drummer and composer Mimi VERDERAME has a new CD out in a a matter of days. Titled "Game Over" (A Records AL 73185 ), it was recorded with a quartet composed of Eric LEGNINI (piano), Bart DE NOLF (bass) and Italian alto sax player Rosario GIULIANI, who won the Europ' Jazz Contest in Hoeilaart. The album, recorded in Genk in February '99, should be presented in September at the Brussels "Sounds" jazz club. (Aug. 9, 99) |
| STEVE HOUBEN RECORDS A SOLO CD IN A CHURCH Saxophonist/flutist Steve HOUBEN has recently recorded a solo CD in a church, for the Belgian Ricercar label, usually devoted to classical music. The album will feature him in solo, or in dialogs with himself, and improvising on a selection of jazz standards. (Aug. 8, 99) |
| "LE GRAND JAZZ" BACK ON THE AIR "Le Grand Jazz", a RTBF RADIO 1 radio show hosted by Philippe BARON and centered around jazz classics, has found its place back on the air on weekdays after 11:15 p.m. (Aug. 8, 99) |
| 2 SABAM COMPOSITION PRIZES TO LÉON LHOEST AND KRIS GOESSENS The PAB/BAP (Belgian Artistic Promotion) of SABAM (Belgian Society of Authors, Composers & Publishers) organized a composition contest to select 2 or 3 Belgian jazz compositions to be played as an imposed piece during the september '99 edition of the Europ' Jazz Contest in Hoeilaart. Two compositions were awarded, written respectively by pianists Léon LHOEST and Kris GOESSENS. (Aug. 1, 99) |
| FAREWELL PARTY FOR NICOLAS THYS Bassist Nicola THYS is leaving us to live in New York for few years. A farewell party will take place on August 18, as of 20:30, 217, rue de Mérode (Brussels, St. Gilles) Everybody welcome ! There will be 2 concerts, by X-Legged Sally & Alice's 5 Moons. Entry fee 200 F. (July 31, 99) |
| TRAVERS 21th ANNIVERSARY On August 8th, the Brussels Travers will celebrate its 21st anniversary. Party, drinks and jam session at the Travers as of 20:00. (July 31, 99) |
| AKA MOON : NEW CDS, WITH ICTUS AND LIVE AT THE KAAI The CARBON 7 record label announces two new releases of AKA MOON : "Invisible Mother" (Carbon 7 C7-038), a CD recently recorded with ICTUS, an ensemble that specializes in contemporary music, and a trio CD "Live at the Kaai" (Carbon 7 C7-039) which includes a collection of previously unreleased recordings made at the Kaai in '93. (July 29, 99) |
| CLINIC BY KENNY WERNER During the Jazz Middelheim festival the American pianist Kenny WERNER will be giving clinics. Please, check the Jazz Middelheim website for more info. (July 27, 99) |
| A RARE NEW YORK APPEARANCE BY JAZZ VOCALIST JUDY NIEMACK WITH KIRK NUROCK & JF PRINS Judy NIEMACK will sing a program of her original lyrics written to the music of Kirk NUROCK and other modern composers (Thelonious MONK, Richie BEIRACH, Mike STERN, Don GROLNICK, Steve SLAGLE, Clifford BROWN, Duke JORDAN...).
with Kirk NUROCK : Piano & Jeanfrançois PRINS : Guitar
8:30 p.m. (with a 10:30 show on demand) 169 Eighth Avenue near 18th Street Please call for reservations : (212) 929-5410 (July 19, 99) |
| ANDRÉ GOUDBEEK QUARTET & PHIL MINTON : NEW CD The label WIMpro (see our newly created page), closely associated with WIM, the improvising musicians collective, announces the release of a CD of the André GOUDBEEK Quartet & Phil MINTON "As it happened" (Wimprovijf CD 310399), with the participation of André GOUDBEEK (as, bcl), Bart MARIS (tp/flh), Peter JACQUEMYN (bass), Dirk WAUTERS (perc.) and Phil MINTON (vocals). This album and the other records of the label are available via mailorder (CDs at 650 BEF). Bankaccount : 320-0020286-83 at BBL, Antwerp, Belgium. (July 17, 99) |
| FRANCY BOLAND : 2 CD REISSUES The Italian label Rearward reissues on CD some historical recordings of Belgian pianist/composer/arranger Francy BOLAND, a.o. with his famous Kenny CLARKE/Francy BOLAND. "Our Kinda Strauss" (Rearward RW 106) features the big band, recorded in '66, and includes some previoulsy unissued tracks from 67-72, while another album titled "Karl DREWO meets Francy BOLAND : Clap Hands, Here Comes Charlie" (Rearward RW 105) features the late Austrian saxophonist Karl DREWO with a smaller group, that includes by the way two other Belgian musicians, trombone player Christian KELLENS and bassist Jean WARLAND. (July 15, 99) |
| J@ZZ@ROUND : SUMMER ISSUE IS OUT Visit our J@zz@round Page to discover the contents of the latest issue of this Belgian magazine (in French) that deals with jazz and other music forms of today. Pianist/composer Kris DEFOORT has the front cover. (July 14, 99) |
| JEAN-PIERRE CATOUL & PETER HERTMANS IN THE STUDIO Violin player Jean-Pierre CATOUL and guitar player Peter HERTMANS have associated their talents to record a CD to be released later this year on the QUETZAL label. The album will include a selection of their compositions and features a rhythm section composed of Michel HERR (p, kb), Michel HATZIGEORGIOU (el. bass) and Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs). (July 12, 99) |
| JAZZ IN'T PARK : WEEKLY JAZZ CONCERTS IN AUGUST IN GHENT We have added to our very detailed FESTIVALS PAGE all the informations regarding the Belgian jazz concerts that will take place in Ghent, in the ZuidPark, on August 13, 20, 27 & 28. (July 12, 99) |
| NICOLAS THYS COMPLETES CD OF ALICE'S FIVE MOONS Bassist/composer Nicolas THYS has put the final touch to the album he has recorded with his band ALICE's FIVE MOONS. In the final stages of the production, he worked closely with Daniel ROMEO who added new ingredients to the project. The CD is to be released later this year on the CROSSOVER label. (July 12, 99) |
| THE MOVIE "JUST FRIENDS" ON RTBF TV LA 2 AND ON CINESTAR 1 The Belgian movie JUST FRIENDS (a film by Marc-Henri WAJNBERG) will be broadcasted by Belgian TV RTBF LA 2 on July 11 (20:05). Jazz is very present in the original soundtrack written by pianist/composer Michel HERR and played by US saxophonist Archie SHEPP and a bunch of top European and Belgian musicians. Those of you who live in France can also see the movie on the Cinestar 1 channel on July 10 (9:45 am) & 12 (17:20). (July 10, 99) |
| IN THE RECORDING STUDIO : ODE FOR JOE The quartet ODE FOR JOE has just completed the recording of its second CD, featuring more music by US saxophonist/composer Joe HENDERSON. The album, to be released by WERF records, features the same musicians as the first album : Jeroen VAN HERZEELE (ten sax), Peter HERTMANS (gt), Sal LA ROCCA (bass) and Jan DE HAAS (drs). (July 9, 99) |
| NEW ON THIS SITE : SCOOPS : LISTEN TO TRACKS FROM UPCOMING RELEASES NEW : we have also added a new page in which we'll offer a unique preview of some sample excerpts from albums soon to be released. Check the SCOOP PAGE for a first listen to upcoming CDs by drummer/vibist Jan DE HAAS (on Igloo) and trombone player Phil ABRAHAM and his trio (on Lyrae). (July 7, 99) |
| NEW ON THIS SITE : CD QUALITY AUDIO SAMPLES IN STREAMING Interested in listening to the latest Belgian jazz CDs with high quality audio ? As a consequence of our collaboration with NetBeat, we are now able to offer high quality (Real Audio G2) audio samples that can be listened to within a few seconds in streaming. One more good reason to visit this site on a regular basis ! A NEW PAGE featuring a selection of recent releases (with reviews and superb Real Audio G2 audio samples) is now available and will be expanded as we go along. Expect also the quality of all our audio samples in the individual CD pages to improve dramatically as we update these pages. All you need is the latest G2 RealPlayer, a free download for PC or Mac from http://www.realaudio.com/. (July 2, 99) |
| ON-LINE REVIEWS OF CDS : NATHALIE LORIERS, KRIS DEFOORT, IVAN PADUART, MICHEL HERR, ETC... Pierre DULIEU has recently selected Nathalie LORIERS' recent CD "Silent Spring" as Belgian record of the month in his very interesting personal jazz WEB SITE. Just click on the record cover at the bottom of the page to read his review. Other articles about records of recent months are still available (albums by Ivan PADUART, Michel HERR, Kris DEFOORT, Bruno CASTELLUCCI, etc...) (July 2, 99) |
| ERWIN VANN IN SOUTH AFRICA Between June 30 and July 16 '99, saxophonist Erwin VANN will be on tour in South Africa with QUADRANT, the band of Dutch bassist Eric VAN DER WESTEN. (June 30, 99) |
| RTBF : "LE GRAND JAZZ" BACK ON THE AIR ON AUGUST 2nd On August 2nd, RTBF radio "La Première" will turn the page over the war in Kosovo and will come back to the normal scheme of programs, allowing jazz fans to again listen on weekdays to the show "Le Grand Jazz" with Philippe BARON. In July, in the 18:30 on RTBF Radio "Musique Trois" (weekdays), a series of guests, a.o. musicians, will come and present their favorite recordsas well as rare or unpublished documents. (June 28, 99) |
| REISSUE OF MARC MOULIN'S PLACEBO ON CD Pianist/composer Marc MOULIN led in the seventies the legendary fusion band PLACEBO. For years, the LPs were out of print and unavailable, they even became collector's items. Good news for the fans of the band : the British label Counterpoint has reissued on CD a selection of recordings called "Sessions 1971-1974" (CD CRCD005 '99), originally released a.o. on the "Ball of Eyes" LP etc..., and featuring a.o. Marc MOULIN, keyboards, Richard ROUSSELET, Nic FISSETTE, tp; Alex SCORIER, Johnny DOVER, saxes; Philip CATHERINE, guitar; Nicolas KLETCHKOVSKY, bass guitar and Freddy ROTTIER or Garcia MORALES, drs. (June 28, 99) |
| JAZZ CONTEST FOR AMATEURS IN LIÈGE The Liège Maison du Jazz announces that a jazz contest will take place in Liège at the Chiroux on October 23, '99. Restricted to amateur jazz bands, the competition will offer several prizes, in cash or in opportunities of performances in festivals like Jazz à Liège, Gaume Jazz Festival or Ciney. Applications are accepted until September 20. All details, rules, prizes etc..., are available on the web site of the MAISON DU JAZZ (Phone : 04/221-10-11). (June 26, 99) |
| NEW CLUB, NEW FORMULA LAUNCHED BY PASCAL NOEL Pascal NOËL who manages the LYRAE label has recently opened (in partnership) in Brussels a new club called "D'IMPRIMERIE", located rue des Fabriques/ Fabriekstraat 43, 1000 Brussels. The place is a combination of a jazz club, recording studio and restaurant. Attendance by reservation : (02) 502 50 07, or Lyrae (02) 625 74 50 Email Entry fee (all included) is 850 BEF. The evenings start at 20h with a cocktail, followed by dinner and a concert at 21:45. Jazz will be featured once a month. On June 29 & July 1st, the Paolo RADONI Trio (with Bas COOYMANS & Félix SIMTAINE) will play. The concerts will be recorded live for a new album.
Next evening(s) scheduled for July 8-10, more details soon. |
| MORE DETAILS ON SPECIAL CONCERT "100 YEARS OF JAZZ IN WALLONIA" On September 11, at the Liège Forum, a special concert will celebrate "100 Years of Jazz in Wallonia". It seems that some ragtimes have been played in Liège as early as 1899 by an American band led by US march composer John Philip SOUSA ! To illustrate a long tradition of high quality musicians in Wallonia (the French speaking part of Belgium), the concert will present music by René THOMAS, Bobby JASPAR, SADI, Francy BOLAND, Michel HERR, Steve HOUBEN, Phil ABRAHAM, Jacques PIROTTON, Mimi VERDERAME, Nathalie LORIERS, Charles LOOS, Guy CABAY etc.... On stage, under the musical direction of saxophonist/flutist Steve HOUBEN and pianist/composer Michel HERR, many top Belgian musicians, a.o. : Félix SIMTAINE's ACT BIG BAND with a bunch of well known Belgian soloists (Fabrice ALLEMAN, John RUOCCO, Gino LATTUCA, Kurt VAN HERCK, Marc GODFROID, Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE, etc...), Nathalie LORIERS, Jacques PIROTTON, Robert JEANNE and Guy CABAY. The Liège Maison du Jazz will participate, showing on a large screen some rare film or tv footage featuring THOMAS, JASPAR, the CLARKE/BOLAND Big Band and the AKA MOON trio. M.C. of the evening will be RTBF's Philippe BARON. Infos : 04/223 04 20. (June 23, 99) |
| TWO PARKS IN LIÈGE NAMED AFTER BOBBY JASPAR AND RENÉ THOMAS The city of Liège has decided to give to two new parks, to be created in the vicinity of the renovated Place St Lambert, the name of the late jazz giants Bobby JASPAR (saxophone) and René THOMAS (guitar), who both originated from the "Cité Ardente" (the nickname of Liège). (June 23, 99) |
| MOTIVES FOR JAZZ : PROGRAM FALL '99 The organization Motives for Jazz, which organizes jazz concerts in the Limburg Province of Belgium, announces that their program for the fall is available on their WEB SITE. (June 22, 99) |
| MORE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE, GILBERT ISBIN During the 1st week of July, guitarist and composer Gilbert ISBIN will record a solo album for the label Traurige Tropen (Germany). Gilbert was asked to record a CD with arrangements of the music of the late Nick DRAKE, an English songwriter who wrote very beautiful, bluesy songs. He was a technically brilliant guitarplayer too. The record will be distributed worldwide Solo concerts with this program (and own compositions) are also scheduled. A new recording is scheduled in December together with Geert VERBEKE (perc.) for a new CD "Twice", following their recently released TWINS.
Joe FONDA, who recorded 2 albums with DE WERF, has expressed interest to do a duo CD with Gilbert next year, which will be released on VKH Tonesetters. |
| GILBERT ISBIN / GEERT VERBEKE DUO CD The label TERN, that regularly publishes albums of guitarist Gilbert ISBIN, releases a duo CD recorded by the guitarist with percussionist Geert VERBEKE, who plays an evocative list of unusual instruments : Amphora, bells, Berimbau, birdcall, Caxixi, Himalayan Bowls, Kung Zee's, Paiste gongs & cymbals...). The album is titled TWINS (Tern CD-J05). The cd is available from Tern Records, Oudstrijderslaan 18, B-8200 Brugge 2, Belgium. Phone + fax : 32 / 50 / 38 65 88, E-mail : tern.vzw@pandora.be (June 18, 99) |
| A NEW CULTURAL CENTER IN ETTERBEEK On the occasion of the "Fêtes de la Musique", the new cultural center "Art&Go" located 11, rue Félix Hap in Etterbeek (Brussels) , presents :
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| MARC LELANGUE & MARDY TOWNSEND AT THE TRAVERS TRAVERS clubs will host Blues singer Marc LELANGUE on Thursday, June 30, 21h Rue Traversière, 11 - B-1210 Bruxelles; for reservations : 02 218 40 86 entry 400 frs
Le Travers will remain open during the summer with concerts, jam sessions and Sunday open air concerts at the wood (Bois de la Cambre) (see festivals page) |
| JEROEN VAN HERZEELE : NEW CD WITH GREETINGS FROM MERCURY Saxophonist Jeroen VAN HERZEELE and his band GREETINGS FROM MERCURY have released a live album, titled "Continuance" (Carbon 7 C7-036). Recorded in January '99 live at the Vooruit in Ghent, it features Peter HERTMANS (gt), Steven SEGERS (rap), Otti VAN DER WERF (el. bass), Michel ANDINA (sitar) and Stéphane GALLAND (drs). (June 15, 99) |
| RTBF RADIO PRESENTS LIVE CONCERT OF NATHALIE LORIERS AND JEROEN VAN HERZEELE On Saturday June 19 (17:00), RTBF Radio "Musique 3" will broadcast from their studios a live concert of the Nathalie LORIERS Trio with saxophonist Jeroen VAN HERZEELE (saxophone). Both musicians received the Belgian Django d'Or '99 sponsored by the PAB (Belgian Artistic Promotion) of SABAM (the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers), which supports this live concert as well. (June 11, 99) |
| NATHALIE LORIERS : NEW TRIO CD Pianist Nathalie LORIERS (Belgian Django d'Or '99) has new CD out, titled "SILENT SPRING" (Pygmalion 595182). It is a trio album of original compositions, with bassist Sal LA ROCCA and Dutch drummer Hans VAN OOSTERHOUT. (June 9, 99) |
| JAZZ CONCERTS AT LIEGE'S LION S'ENVOILE TO AN END We are hearing that, due a to a combination of problems both at the Cirque Divers and in the organization of the jazz concerts at the Lion s'envoile, the Wednesday concerts will be stopped after years of musical activity that saw a rich programming of hundreds of concerts. Let's hope that the team of the "Jazz Festival Liège" organization will find a way to pursue his concerts in another location with a sufficient crowd to keep them alive. (June 8, 99) |
| JAZZ MIDDELHEIM : PROGRAM AVAILABLE We have added the program of the Jazz Middelheim '99 (Antwerp, Aug. 11-15, '99) in our festivals page, that will give you a wide overview of what to expect for the summer. (June 8, 99) |
| MARC GODFROID & HIS BIG BAND Marc GODFROID (tb) wrote : Since 1986 I'm conducting my own big band in Geraardsbergen. Every 2 months we play a concert in our rehearsal room. Each concert we play around another theme. Some of the theme's we played before: Count BASIE, Frank SINATRA, the trombone, Francy BOLAND... On Thursday June 24 we play a concert with the music of Duke ELLINGTON. In the first set we will play the Far East Suite and in the second set we will play a selection of his most popular tunes. These concerts always start at 20:30. Entrance is 200 BEF. If you are a member of the "friends of the Big Band", you can by a card for 1000 BEF for all 6 concerts. (June 5, 99) |
| JAZZ ADDICTION WINS THE NICOLAS DOR PRIZE '99 The band JAZZ ADDICTION, an octet led by drummer Mimi VERDERAME has won the '99 Nicolas Dor Prize as the best Belgian concert of this year's edition of the Jazz à Liège Festival. The band, that plays original music written by his leader, will receive the prize on June 23 from the PAB/BAP, the Belgian Artistic Promotion of Sabam, the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers. (June 4, 99) |
| NOISE MEAL FESTIVAL : JAZZ BANDS CONTEST The "Centre Culturel de Welkenraedt" organizes on September 25-27, 99 the Noise Meal Festival. A contest of bands in three categories will take place, including jazz. Recording sessions are to win. Applications until June 30 ! Infos : 087/66.17.18, 087/89.91.70, email datel@detesor.be. (June 4, 99) |
| WEB SITE OF THE BROSELLA FESTIVAL The annual BROSELLA Festival will take place in Brussels on July 10 and 11, '99, in the "Théâtre de Verdure" (near the Atomium). July 10 will be folk day, July 11 will be jazz day. All details on their BROSELLA WEB SITE. (June 4, 99) |
| FRANK VAGANEE : NEW CD WITH JOHN RUOCCO WERF Records has released a new pianoless CD of alto saxophonist Frank VAGANEE, titled "Two Trios", with American tenor saxophonist John RUOCCO, Italian bassist Rosario BONACORSO and Belgian drummer Dré PALLEMAERTS. (June 4, 99) |
| HARMONICA SUMMIT : TOOTS & STEVIE WONDER A very special event in Sweden saw the musical meeting on stage of two giants : Toots THIELEMANS (harmonica) and Stevie WONDER. (June 3, 99) |
| MARCUS MINGUS CLUB CLOSES DOWN The Brussels jazz club "MARCUS MINGUS" has closed its doors for financial reasons on May 31, after a last and exciting weekend of live music. The club participated in the Brussels Jazz Marathon, and the last three days were a crazy jazz fea |