TB Project

Belgium

At the Montpellier Conservatory, vibraphonist Tristan Bernoud meets drummer Egon Wolfson and pianist Loïc Lengagne. After a few performances, most notably with the After Reception Quintet (including at the Radio France Festival), and graduation, the trio decide to start their higher studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. Here they meet trumpeter Gaspard Mathelin and young bassist Roman Raynaud

Band leader Bernoud’s original compositions are met with praise at concerts in Brussels clubs such as L’Ascenseur and Sounds Jazz Club. His main influences include greats like John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman, but also more contemporary musicians like Ambrose Akinmusire, Immanuel Wilkins or vibraphonist Joel Ross. The quintet knows how to captivate listeners and take them on a colourful journey; the energy shared by the musicians on stage makes the hall tremble.

Selected during the Belgian preliminaries

Tristan Bernoud vibrafoon | Egon Wolfson drums | Loïc Lengagne piano | Gaspard Mathelin trumpet | Roman Raynaud doublebass

Giulio Ottanelli Quartet

Italy/France

The Giulio Ottanelli quartet aims to explore the sound created by two saxophones interacting with each other, in a continuous flow that links composition and improvisation. The group performs rhythmic and energetic music with refined melodies and odd tempos, with influences ranging from historical jazz musicians such as L. Tristano, B. Strayhorn, C. Mingus to traditional Eastern European music. The band has already performed at many festivals in France, Spain and Europe and released its first EP ‘The Paris Session’ in May 2023. The Giulio Ottanelli Quartet is also the winner of the Gexto International Competition 2023 and released a live recording of the concert.

Selected by Gexto International Contest

Giulio Ottanelli alto- and sopranosaxophone | Jeremie Lucchese tenorsaxophone | Tom Boizot doublebass | Emile Rameau drums

Tomer Cohen Trio

Belgium

American-Israeli guitarist Tomer Cohen was born in the US, but spent his childhood in Israel. At a young age, he picked up the guitar and from then on he knew that music was his purpose in life. Over the years, Tomer has become a promising talent on the NYC jazz scene. Every song has a story, which Tomer uses to connect with the audience on a deep level. By incorporating stories into his performances, he invites the audience to actively participate in the musical journey. Similarly on the recent album ‘Story of a Traveler’, with Shai Maestro as a guest.

Selected during the Belgian preliminaries.

Tomer Cohen guitar | Cyrille Obermüller doublebass | Gert-Jan Dreessen drums

ELLIOT

Nederland

In November 2023, ELLIOT, led by drummer and composer Jakob Lingen, made its first appearance at the JazzNight in AINSI, followed by winning the Maastricht JazzAward 2024 in March. Heavily influenced by J.S. Bach, folk music and a love of freely improvised music, the compositions are arranged yet free so that improvisation and communication are central. The aim is to create a sound and feeling that engages and guides the listener through the thrill of free improvised music with the beauty of melodies playing together, as well as rousing yet grounded rhythms. ELLIOT includes a variety of soundscapes and textures that give a unique depth to the music.

Selected by Conservatorium Maastricht (Netherlands)

Mathias Palludan tenorsaxophone | Simon Lutgens trumpet | Jakob Lingen drums | Abhig Bharati guitar | Lea Lingen doublebass

Igor Senderov Quartet

Israël/Germany/Italy

With musicians from Israel, Germany and Italy, this international quartet is a musical melting pot. The foursome got to know each other at the Rome conservatory and play original music by bandleader Igor.

Selected by Saint Louis College of Music in Italy (Rome).

Igor Senderov altsaxofoon | Giuseppe Sacchi piano | Vincenzo Quirico doublebass | Daniel Besthorn drums

Opening Theory

Romania

Opening Theory is a trio from Bucharest that mixes the complex rhythms of progressive rock with a nu-jazz sensibility, all wrapped up in an energetic electronic sound. Inspired by the many possibilities and steps of chess openings (hence the band’s name), the three musicians strive for a balance between aggressive punch and spacy soundscapes; pointed, angular riffs and rich, fuzzy harmonies, all in a show meant to electrify.

Selected by Brașov Jazz & Blues Festival (Romania)

George Păiș synths | Ștefan Stoianovici piano & keys | Alex Mușat drums