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photo Jos Knaepen

Toine THYS

tenor, alt and soprano saxes, clarinet and flute


Born in 1972 in a musical family in Brussels (Belgium), Toine THYS started with classical clarinet at the age of ten.
After meeting musicians like Erwin VANN, John RUOCCO and Jeroen VAN HERZEELE He started lessons on alto with Jeroen VAN HERZEELE in Brussels, but quickly moved to the Netherlands (The Hague) to study with John RUOCCO and later with Ferdinand POVEL and Toon ROOS (1996-2002).
He graduated his 6 years studies with the title of 'Master of Music' in 2002.

Toine is an intense and energetic, yet subtle player. First known as an altoist, his tenorplaying (and clarinet's) has been recently warmly welcome. He also very concerned with composition, and has written with consistency for different groups.
He is active as a flute player in de latin scene. His main influences are Stan Gets, Ornette Coleman, Sonny Rollins, Chris Cheek and Chris Speed, but also Hank Mobley, Keith Jarret, and pffff... so many others!

Toine is an active musician, playing today mostly in these bands:
  • the quartet "Take the Duck" , w/ Daniel NOESIG (trumpet), Sal LAROCCA (ac. bass) and Thorsten GRAU (drums), and sopecial guest BEN MONDER. After their first CD, "RESOLUTION", they are bringing out their second baby: "DUCK'S FOOD" (september 2004 on COCO's label). See playlist, full info, pics and more crunchy stuff at www.taketheduck.com
    Their first CD, "RESOLUTION", is out in September 2002, on their own record label "Ducktone Productions" (distributed by Extraplatte). Visit them at www.taketheduck.com.
  • "RENAUD 5", quintet of Renaud PERSON w/ Kurt van Herck, Bart van Caeneghem, and Philippe Aerts/Martijn van Buel.
  • "RACKHAM", w/ Benjamin Clement, Teun Verbruggen and Francois Verrue.
  • The Goldenfish Trio (w/ drummer Renaud Person and bassist Joey Lim).
  • Newcoming quartet with guitarist VICTOR DA COSTA.
  • Musical friendship with pianist ERIK VERMEULEN, concerts from duet to quintet, all over the galaxy.