The LUNDIS D'HORTENSE were founded in 1976 by a group of musicians who could not be classified neither as classical nor as commercial artists. As jazz musicians formed a majority of them, this non profit organization clearly reoriented its activities towards jazz during the eighties.
For those who would like to know, the rather suprising name of the association comes from the fact that the founders or the association used to have their meetings on Mondays, in a villa called "Villa Hortense", just outside of Brussels.
The main goal of the Organization is the promotion of the current Belgian jazz scene and its musicians.
It is now being subsidized by the Ministry of Culture of the French Speaking Community of Belgium.
The Association is administrated by a Board (Conseil d'Administration). Current chairman is saxophonist Manu HERMIA (elected in '2003) and the office, for daily affairs, is in charge of : Laurent PONCIN, Katy SAUDMONT.
Members are jazz musicians from the whole country and jazz aficionados. Membership fee is very affordable : 15 euros a year (Bank account : 068-0704090-91, Brussels, Belgium).

Contact us at (new address !) :
LES LUNDIS D'HORTENSE
Maison des Musiques
Rue Lebeau 39
B-1000 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone : (++32-2) 219 58 51 or 550-13-40, fax : (++32-2) 550-13-41
Email:

A C T I V I T I E S

For a chronological calendar of the concerts : click HERE.

CONCERTS : JAZZ TOURS
CONCERTS : LES MIDIS DU JAZZ
CONCERTS IN CO-PRODUCTION
FESTIVAL
EDUCATION : "JAZZ AU VERT" SUMMER CLINIC
WEB SITE "JAZZ IN BELGIUM"
INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION OF BELGIAN JAZZ MUSICIANS
THE LUNDIS D'HORTENSE JOURNAL (in French)
DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION

CONCERTS : JAZZ TOURS

Each year, the Lundis d'Hortense organizes tours for several Belgian bands in various cities Jazz8 (Spy), Comité Culturel d'Eupen au Kulturzentrum "Jünglingshaus (Eupen), Ferme du Biéreau (Louvain-la-Neuve), Manège.mons au Finz'Erb et au K.fée (Mons), Centre Culturel (Ans), Centre Culturel à la salle Variétés (Amay), Centre Culturel au Ploegsteertois et au local de l'Harmonie (Comines), Centre Culturel (Huy), Centre Culturel (La Louvière), Botanique (Bruxelles), Jazz en Nord - Renaissance au Club le 30 (Lille), etc..
These tours give these bands (young or established) the opportunity to perform in good conditions, to develop their group concept, to launch special projects and to benefit from special promotion in the media.
Bands recently involved in jazz tours : Richard ROUSSELET Quintet, Phil ABRAHAM Quartet, Fabrice ALLEMAN Quartet, Paolo RADONI Trio, Bart DEFOORT Quartet, Frank VAGANEE / Mike DEL FERRO Quartet, Ben SLUIJS Quartet, VRANCKX / BRACAVAL Quartet, "H Septet" (Pirly ZURSTRASSEN), Erwin VANN "INNER PEACE BAND", Jan De HAAS & JDH BAND, ALMORIA Trio, TOMAS AND CO Tentet, Robert JEANNE Quartet and Peter HERTMANS Trio, GREETINGS FROM MERCURY with Jeroen VAN HERZEELE, HELIOS Quartet, L'AME DES POETES, Stéphane MERCIER Sextet, TOMAS & CO, TRIO GRANDE, BLONDIAU/VAN HERZEELE Quartet, Gino LATTUCA Quartet, AKA MOON, Félix SIMTAINE Trio, AKA MOON, ALICE'S FIVE MOONS, Bart DEFOORT Quartet, DEEP IN THE DEEP, ECAROH Quintet, Erik VERMEULEN Trio, Phil ABRAHAM Trio, IGNATZEK - PARGHEL - RASSINFOSSE Trio, RUOCCO - SIMTAINE - RASSINFOSSE Trio, LES VISITEURS DU SOIR, Marta MUS Sextet, WIERNIK - DUMOULIN Band, Nathalie LORIERS Trio, PARFUM LATIN, SUMARI FLAMENCO-JAZZ PROJECT, Trio VAN HERCK - SEBA - VAN DEUN, WHITE WINE DARK GRAPES, 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, Manu HERMIA Quartet, Maxime BLÉSIN Quintet, Benoît RUWET Trio, Diederik WISSELS & Silent Song Sextet, OCTURN's double rhythm section project, Jean-Pierre CATOUL/Peter HERTMANS project, VEGETAL BEAUTY, Ben SLUIJS QUARTET, TOMAS & CO, Anne WOLF TRIO, Ernst VRANCKX Quintet, ANFASS, Manuel HERMIA QUINTET, REVE D'ELEPHANT, DA FUNKAMENTAL & FUNKALYSERS, MUSIQUE A NEUF, TANGRAM, Alexi TUOMARILA Quartet, Marco LOCURCIO Sextet, ORANGE KAZOO, L'AME DES POETES, Fabien DEGRYSE JAZZ, ALMORIA, BACKBACK, NO VIBRATO Quintet, TRIBU, WIERNIK - DUMOULIN project, etc......

See Jazz-Tours : WHERE AND WHEN

CONCERTS : LES MIDIS DU JAZZ

Once a month, the Lundis d'Hortense presents a noon concert (12:30 to 13:30) at the Musée Charlier, avenue des Arts 16, in 1210 Brussels. Mostly acoustic jazz, and recently, solo or duo performances.
Have recently performed : Charles LOOS/André DONNI, Robert JEANNE, Paolo RADONI Trio, Pierre LOGNAY / Maxime BLESIN duo, Trio CHOKOTOFF, Pirly ZURSTRASSEN's LES VISITEURS DU SOIR, BLONDIAU/VAN HERZEELE Quartet, ALLEMAN/SOURISSE/CHARLIER, Ivan PADUART Trio, Peter HERTMANS Trio, solo performances by Michel HATZIGEORGIOU, Paolo RADONI, Erwin VANN's "Koya", Michel DEBRULLE, Lindsey HORNER, Pierre VAN DORMAEL, Fred VAN HOVE, Phil ABRAHAM, Daniel STOKART, Pierre BERNARD, Boyan VODENITCHAROV, Suman SARKAR, Véronique BIZET, Fabrizio CASSOL etc....

MUSEE CHARLIER : avenue des Arts 16, 1210 Brussels

Program : see Midis Jazz page.

CONCERTS IN CO-PRODUCTION

Occasionally, the Lundis d'Hortense is being consulted by concert and festival organizers in Belgium. Since 1996, the Lundis d'Hortense participates in the mega jazz event called the Brussels Jazz Marathon. It is a week end of jazz taking place in many cafes in the centre of Brussels. More than 50 Belgian bands perform on this occasion. Since 96, the Lundis are part of the Committee of the event. Although they are not responsible for the programming, they take care of the Belgian jazzmen's interests (contracts, proportion of Belgian musicians in the program, etc).
Last but not least, the management of the "Brussels Jazz Marathon" asked the Lundis to program Belgian bands for one of the highlights of the week end, the big concert on the prestigious Market Place.
A success in 96 (with a.o. ACT BIG BAND), this collaboration was repeated in 97 an 98.
In 97, the Lundis presented : Kurt VAN HERCK Quartet, Charles LOOS Old Time Trio, Frank VAGANEE Trio and Steve HOUBEN Quartet.
In 98 : SOMER / MANGEN Quartet, Anca PARGHEL Quintet, Eric LEGNINI Quartet.
In 99 : Maxime BLESIN Quintet, David LINX/ Diederik WISSELS and the Michel HERR European Quintet
In 2000 : TANGRAM, L'AME DES POETES, TOMAS & CO.
In 2001 : Phil ABRAHAM Trio with Paolo RADONI and Gilles NATUREL, STREAMS, Daniel ROMEO BAND.
In 2002 : REVE D'ELEPHANT ORCHESTRA, Philippe AERTS Quartet, Erwin VANN Group
In 2003 : Sal LA ROCCA Quartet,...
In 2004 : see Program

FESTIVAL

Each year, the Lundis d'Hortense organizes a festival in Brussels. It features Belgian groups, with occasional foreign guests, and an accent on special projects, etc...

In 96, the Association commissioned four Belgian jazz composers, Erwin VANN, Michel HERR, Bert JORIS and Arnould MASSART to write a special piece for the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA at the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Lundis. Other bands participating in this 96 edition of the festival were VARIATIONS ON A LOVE SUPREME, the Nathalie LORIERS Trio, P. PASSION and a special jam session featuring 20 musicians put together in surprising combinations decided by random...

In 97, the Festival took place on April 26, in Brussels, at Théâtre 140. The program included ALICE's 5 MOONS (the group of bassist Nicolas THYS), AKA MOON, Pierre LOGNAY & the NEW INTERNATIONAL EDITION and Trilok GURTU & the GLIMPSE.

In '98, on April 28 & 29, again at Théâtre 140, the Festival featured : MARRE-PANSANEL-KOCHOYAN Quintet (with Nicolas THYS and Stéphane GALLAND), Serge LAZAREVITCH/Charles LOOS Quintet, Félix SIMTAINE's SIXTAINE, Fabrice ALLEMAN Quartet, Erik VERMEULEN Trio and Dave HOLLAND Quintet.

In 99, the Festival took place at the Brussels Botanique and featured : DREAMTIME (Kris DEFOORT), AKA MOON ELECTRIC (the trio +guests on guitar and keyboards), Nathalie LORIERS + extensions, MOTHER, Kurt VAN HERCK/ Nicolas THYS/ Félix SIMTAINE Trio, Pirly ZURTRASSEN/ Jean-Pierre CATOUL duo.

In March 2000, at the Botanique, the festival presented : Belgian jazz films, young bands, GREETINGS FROM MERCURY, Diederik WISSELS - Silent Song sextet (The music of Federico Mompou), TRIO GRANDE, the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA + Philip CATHERINE & Bert JORIS, Pierre VAIANA & FOOFANGO, Mimi VERDERAME quartet with Rosario GIULIANI, and a final jam session around a.o. Pierre VAN DORMAEL.

On April 7, 2001, at the Botanique, the festival presented : Belgian jazz films, young bands, and Eric LEGNINI QUARTET (B/I), MAAK'S SPIRIT + GUEST, ODE FOR JOE + EXTENSIONS, SLANG, Alexi TUOMARILA Quartet (B/Fin), MELA & THE HARMADIK FUL QUARTET, ORANGE KAZOO.

In 2002, on March 8 & 9, at the Botanique, the festival presented Anne WOLF Trio + Marcia MARIA, Pascal MOHY Quartet, Pierre VAN DORMAEL & "Vivaces", Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE & CROSSWORLDS, Philippe JOOSENS Quartet, LINX/WISSELS Heartland feat. Bert JORIS, PYROMANES and some jazz movies.

In 2003, on March 14 & 15 at the Botanique in Brussels.

In March 2004, at the Botanique in Brussels : FR / NL (pdf).

EDUCATION : "JAZZ AU VERT" SUMMER CLINIC

This jazz clinic takes place during the last week of July, at the Centre Marcel Hicter, la Marlagne, in Wépion, near Namur. It is open to musicians of all levels.

Among the teachers who participated in this clinic since it was created :
Phil ABRAHAM (tb), Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs), Michel HATZIGEORGIOU (el. bass), Eric LEGNINI, Ivan PADUART, Ron VAN ROSSUM, Michel HERR, Charles LOOS (p.), Paolo RADONI, Peter HERTMANS, Fabien DEGRYSE (gt), Erwin VANN, Fabrizio CASSOL (sax), Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE (ac. bass), Richard ROUSSELET (tp) etc..., as well as foreign musicians such as Joe LOVANO, John RUOCCO (sax), John ENGELS (drs), Karel BOEHLEE (p), Theo DE JONG (el. bass), Anca PARGHEL, Marcia MARIA, Christine SCHALLER (voc.), etc...

Some recent teachers were : Charles LOOS, Ron VAN ROSSUM, Kris DEFOORT, Erik VERMEULEN (piano), Fabien DEGRYSE, Paolo RADONI, Peter HERTMANS (gt), Jacques PIROTTON, Erwin VANN, Fabrizio CASSOL, Bo VAN DER WERF, Daniel STOKART, Fabrice ALLEMAN (saxes), Steve HOUBEN (flute), Theo DE JONG (electric bass), Otti VAN DER WERF (el. bass), Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE ( acoustic bass), Stéphane GALLAND, Jan DE HAAS, Bruno CASTELLUCCI (drs), Richard ROUSSELET (tp, big band), Phil ABRAHAM (tb), Anca PARGHEL (voc.), Jean-Pierre CATOUL (violin, strings), Alexandre FURNELLE (harmony).

Open to musicians of all levels, from 16 year old up to seniors.
Classes : instrument, ensemble, harmony, rhythm, lectures.
Every night, the bar swings, with jam sessions and the concerts presented by the teachers or the students.
If possible, students should bring their instruments and amplifiers. Food and accomodation available.
Fee includes, classes, lodging and meals

NEXT "JAZZ AU VERT" : July 19-25, 2004.
DETAILS (pdf doc., in French)

WEB SITE "JAZZ IN BELGIUM"

In October 96, the Lundis d'Hortense launched its own web site, Jazz in Belgium. You are visiting it now...The current URL is http://www.jazzinbelgium.org. The site has collected numerous awards, a.o. :

The site has been selected among the "top 100 Belgian sites" of 97.

In May '97, the site was selected by Europe Online among the "Best of Europe" sites (Arts and Culture, Belgium) for "its contribution of great quality to the presence of Europe on the Internet".

In September 2000, this web site was voted Best site of the year 2000 (in its category) by Best of Internet. The reasoning was as follows : "This combination of e-publishing, of a heritage that makes Belgians proud and of culture is a great success. It is due to such kind of initiatives of 'contents' that the Web attracts more and more surfers."

In February 2001, the site is among the nominees for the ZAMU awards, in the media category.

Hottest Sites (WorldHot)

in 2004, the site is among the 100 best jazz sites in the French Jazz Magazine selection.
On June 13, 2002, the site received its 100.000^th visitor, and the counter is now reaching the 250.000.
The webmaster is Ilan OZ () . Jazz in Belgium's aim is to provide with information about Belgian jazz musicians and bands, plus various related topics : CDS, publications, concert calendar, radio/TV programs, Jazz Education, etc. See our home page for a detailed menu of this site.

INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION OF BELGIAN JAZZ MUSICIANS

The Organization develops contacts with similar institutions in other countries. It also sends Belgian bands to various international musical events worldwide (France, Montréal, Africa) and is interested in exchanges of groups at an international level.
This policy has been made possible a.o. through a collaboration with institutions like the CGRI (Commissariat Général aux Relations Internationales) and WBM (Wallonie Bruxelles Musiques).
In '97, the Lundis participated in the Junas Jazz Festival (France), thanks to the support of the Brussels Region. The festival was called "JAZZ A JUNAS - The Languedoc-Roussillon meets Brussels". 30 Belgian musicians participated : OCTURN, the BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA with guest Toots THIELEMANS, Erwin VANN "INNER PEACE BAND", Philip CATHERINE, Benoît VANDERSTRAETEN and André CHARLIER with Didier LOCKWOOD, Charles LOOS and Philippe AERTS with the Serge LAZAREVITCH Quintet.

Starting with the season 2002-2003, the Jazz Tour will expand into the North of France in collaboration with "Jazz en Nord - Renaissance" at the "Club le 30" in Lille. 6 concerts entre in 2002/2003 : Ben SLUIJS - Erik VERMEULEN duo, NTOUMOS, Stéphane MERCIER & the ROOMIES, Bart QUARTIER Quartet, Laurent DOUMONT Soul Quintet et Frédéric DELPLANCQ Quartet.

THE LUNDIS D'HORTENSE JOURNAL

Every three months, members of the Lundis d'Hortense receive a little newsletter providing with detailed information about the activities of their Organization.
Since the beginning of '99, an on-line version of the journal is available on this site, with a.o. interviews of Belgian musicians. See LE JOURNAL.

DOCUMENTATION AND INFORMATION

The Lundis d'Hortense stores information about Belgian jazz musicians in activity, such as bios, photos, a list of music teachers, etc.
The Association also organizes meetings and discussions about topics of interest for musicians. The social status of the musician in Belgium is one example.

If you want to know more about 20 years of musical activity of the Lundis d'Hortense, visit our HISTORY OF THE LUNDIS page (French only).

The Belgian Association of Jazz Musicians