EU welcomed Jam sessions with the youth of our festival and not only at our Europe Jazz Blues Festival 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
This is already the 17th edition of the festival. Saturday was reserved for gipsy jazz. Jam sessions are often breeding grounds for new talent. This was certainly the case with Margaux Vranken.
It was during a jam session at the Pelzer Jazz Club that the pleasantly surprised audience discovered her talent while she was playing standards.
Afterward, the rest of the world was introduced to the group Pinto, thanks to her talent as a leader and composer.
Naturally, she returned from this adventure with a wealth of musical experience. This evening marked the first concert of the new Margaux Vranken Trio.
Margaux Vranken (pn), Fil Caporali (cb), Daniel Jonkers (dms)
Liège also discovered the young Nathalie Loriers, originally from Andenne, during a jam session. Coincidence?
Throughout her career, she participated in various projects with the biggest names in the Belgian jazz scene, before forming her own group, or rather, groups, trios, or quartets.
Adeptly impressionistic in her playing, this will only become more energetic when she indulges her love of Lennie Tristano (her CD recorded with Lee Konitz) or, for example, when she records with Jeroen van Herzeele.
Her trio with Sal la Rocca and Hans van Oosterhout remains an example of exceptional creativity.
Over time, she has fostered musical cross-pollination through numerous encounters worldwide. Recently, her collaboration with the fantastic saxophonist Tineke thrilled the audience at Gaume Jazz.
This female collaboration was therefore a must-see at this ladies’ night at the EU Jazz Blues Festival 2025!
Nathalie Loriers (pn), Tineke Postma (sax), Nic Thys (cb)
His early years at his father’s side were 100% Gipsy Swing for Alexandre.
This was followed by a period of experimentation, moving into electro, before forming his current Quintet, where his Gipsy roots blend with his passion for modern jazz.
His idea of adding Vincent Bruyninckx’s piano to the classical setup was a coup that lends Alexandre’s music a fresh and surprising originality.
This Quintet is a must-see, and especially a must-hear!
Alexandre Cavaliere (vln), Manu Bonetti (gt), Fred Guédon (gt), Vincent Bruyninckx (pn), Jean-Louis Rassinfosse (cb)
Although Mario and Alexandre Cavaliere had already appeared at Jazz Broukay several times, as had Dorado and Samson Schmitt, this concert was a premiere. Jazzy Strings was not only expanded that evening with the presence of René de Smaele on trumpet and vocals, but also one of the most famous contemporary Gipsy Swing guitarists: Angelo DeBarre!
And he brought along his son Raangy.
By Olivia Peevas
