PARTICIPANTS PRELIMINARY ROUND LEUVEN
As a run-up to the finals of B-Jazz 2023, two Belgian preliminaries will be organized, on Saturday, March 4 at CC het SPOOR (Harelbeke) and on Friday, March 17 at 30CC/Schouwburg during Leuven Jazz.
All information on who is performing when exactly can be found below.
Friday, march 17 @ 30CC/Schouwburg
Bondgenotenlaan 21, 3000 Leuven
| 19:00 Knuets/Secula Quartet | 20:00 KAU trio. | 21:00 Orson Claeys Quintet | 22:00 Anti-Panopticon | 23:00 Late Night Jam |
Knuets/Secula Quartet
bio
The Knuets/Secula Quartet is a brand new band formed by the young Belgian guitarist, Eliott Knuets and the young and gifted pianist from France, Noé Secula. Together they named a very nice rhythm section put together by the American drummer and super talented Genius Lee Wesley and the very gifted Joan Codina Contra from Spain on double bass. Together they play their new compositions with the spirit of their masters: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Brad Mehldau, …
line-up
Eliott Knuets guitar
Noé Secula piano
Genius Lee Wesley drums
Joan Codina Contra double bass
KAU trio.
bio
The musicians of the Brussels-based KAU trio. represent diverse European backgrounds and come together in the spirit of the city where they grew up. Inspired by jazz, they create a head-bobbing atmosphere using bassy beats and catchy melodies. Using acoustic instruments, the trio stays true to an organic and rich sound, giving themselves the freedom to improvise and respond spontaneously. Influenced by artists such as BADBADNOTGOOD & Christian Scott, their music is original and daring. After falling on the ears of tastemaker Lefto, the band was included in his second volume of Jazz Cats, released on SDBAN Records in June 2022. After releasing their first beat tape in October 2020 and a second opus in 2021, they have been described as a promising emerging nu-jazz band in Belgium. The three KAUs continue their journey with a third released in October 2022 ‘III’.
line-up
Jan Janzen keys
Matteo Genovese double bass
André Breidlid drums
Orson Claeys Quintet
bio
Orson Claeys is a 24-year-old musician and composer from Ghent. “I was always interested in music. Although I don’t come from a musical family, it played an important role. My parents had a large collection of cassettes, CDs and vinyls. At our house the most diverse music was played, from Bach to Zappa and from Miles to Lauryn Hill.” Claeys began playing piano at the age of 10. He decided to continue in this direction and attended the ‘Muda’ art school. It wasn’t until he discovered the music of Herbie Hancock at the age of 17 that he decided to explore the world of jazz. Two years later, he was admitted to the Royal Conservatory of Brussels where he studies with recognized artists Diederik Wissels and Nathalie Loriers. He is currently completing his master’s degree. Inspired by world-renowned musicians such as Aaron Parks, Ambrose Akinmusire, Shai Maestro and Walter Smith III, Orson Claeys is constantly searching for his own unique style in contemporary modern jazz.
line-up
Orson Claeys piano
Thomas Sagne guitar
Alberto Barban double bass
Gionata Giardina drums
Victor Khaddaj drums
Anti-Panopticon
bio
Anti-Panopticon is the brainchild of saxophonist/composer Lennert Baerts. Baerts, who has already garnered praise from such renowned names as Joe Lovano and Jakob Bro with various projects, founded this quartet in 2019. Together with Jesse, he chose to collaborate with Floris and Tijs. This unique composition of Anti-Panopticon thus brings together the different traditions and perspectives of both the Dutch and Belgian music scene. This symbiosis between two worlds was immediately expressed on their first album Channeling The Flood. This album, which they released in 2020, was promptly called “the Belgian jazz record of the year” by De Standaard. Anti-Panopticon is a traditional quartet but aims to revitalize this lineup by putting their very own spin on this setting. In doing so, they strive for constant curiosity, musical layering and full abandon in playing together.
line-up
Lennert Baerts tenor saxophone
Floris Kappeyne piano
Tijs Klaassen double bass
Jesse Dockx drums
Late Night Jam
After the four concerts and while the judges deliberate, the musicians in attendance show and, more importantly, hear what they have to offer musically.