BJO30

Brussels Jazz Orchestra turns 30 and pulls out all the stops. A dazzling birthday tour presents a selection of collaborations from the last 10 years. From the enchanting trumpet sounds of Bert Joris, protest songs with Tutu Puoane (We Have a Dream) and murder ballads with Lynn Cassiers (In The Pines) to the shimmering tales of One Thousand and One Nights with Osama Abdulrasol (Night 352), the groovy sounds of Two Places (with Monique Harcum, DJ Grazzhoppa and Zediam) and the moving stories of Kommil Foo. Let’s party!

This anniversary tour offers everyone the chance to look back at projects from the past 10 years and is also a great opportunity to meet the different faces of Brussels Jazz Orchestra for the first time. The festive concerts bring together songs and compositions that reflect the power, dynamics and range of genres BJO has explored. The tour will travel to Dilbeek (CC Westrand), Bruges (Stadsschouwburg), Brussels (Flagey), Hasselt (CCHA), Leuven (Stadsschouwburg) and Antwerp (deSingel).

Artistic director and co-founder Frank Vaganée: 'We are eagerly looking forward to the festive gift we will present to the public. During this unique concert series, we will bring guest artists together on stage who have helped shape BJO's major milestones over the past 30 years.'

Smashing jazz party

Brussels Jazz Orchestra is inviting several meaningful musical guests during this tour. Bert Joris has been invaluable to the orchestra over the past three decades: his long relationship and deep knowledge of the musicians led to collaborations such as Dangerous Liaison (2006), Signs and Signatures (2010) and most recently Smooth Shake (2016). With Tutu Puoane, the BJO joined forces for Writing Billie, New York City of Jazz, Mama Africa and We Have a Dream, among others. A selection of protest songs from the latter collaboration will be featured during BJO30. For a murder ballad from the quirky performance In The Pines, Lynn Cassiers joins BJO on stage. Together, they will dialogue with illustrator Erik Kriek's graphic novel of the same name. And after the enthusiastically received tour (2022) with the Walschaerts brothers, Kommil Foo also pays tribute to the ultimate freedom of jazz. For the occasion, composer and qanun player Osama Abdulrasol once again delves into the stories of One Thousand and One Nights: together with the BJO, he has previously brought Night 352 to Ghent, Bruges and Abu Dhabi. To top it all off, Monique Harcum (vocals), Zediam (rap) and DJ Grazzhoppa unleash the exciting genre mix of Two Places on the audience: the ideal end to a festive evening.

Attention: the musical guests vary per concert!

7 October | CC Westrand, Dilbeek (without Bert Joris)

10 October | Stadsschouwburg, Bruges

11 October | Flagey, Brussels (without Kommil Foo)

12 October | CCHA, Hasselt

13 October | Stadsschouwburg Leuven (without Lynn Cassiers but with Muriel Urquidi & Andrew Claes)

14 October | deSingel, Antwerp