BRU JAZZ WE - Brussels Jazz Weekend

Jazz for everybody
Five central squares were each given their own musical identity; from cosy dixieland to more experimental genres. This thematic approach helps festival visitors to find their bearings easily among the wide range of Belgian jazz, supplemented by a few international names. 

Whereas last year the focus was on the 100th birthday of jazz icon Toots Thielemans, this time the attention will be on innovative talent that does not easily fit into musical categories. By doing so, the organisation wants to debunk the image that jazz is only accessible to a select audience.

On the Grand Place, NABOU, Aka Moon, Naima Joris, Alex Koo, the Brussels Vocal Project, No Steam and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra with Camille Bertault claim their spot alongside Scottish and French saxophone revelations Fergus Mccreadie and Leon Phal.

This year’s biggest innovation is the metamorphosis of the Place de la Bourse. Whereas during previous editions the concerts took place in a modest kiosk, this year a full-fledged large stage looms for the first time and the capacity is tripled to 1500 young music lovers. 

On the first day, the Place de la Bourse will be transformed into a zoo with the psychedelic sounds of Echoes of Zoo and the funky Jungle By Night. Tuba wizard Theon Cross and 'post-jazz' trio Emile Londonien bring a touch of UK Jazz to Brussels, while the Brussels musicians of Schroothoop present their unique sound with instruments made out of waste. We get an echo of Lucid Lucia's grooves and danceable jazz with dub-inspired Kosmo Sound and KRANKk's soundcapes. Singer-songwriter K.ZIA, in turn, will make r&b, soul, trap and afrobeats roar across the square at the Dansaert neighbourhood.

Fans of blues, swing and Dixieland are as usual welcome on St Catherine's Square. With The Dibs, 44 Rave and Well, Well, Well, they can expect raw, primitive blues with an occasional hint of rock'n'roll. With their combination of finned Fender guitars and worn-out Hammonds, The Whodads don't shy away from a hearty helping of nostalgia, while The Brussels Swing Society and the New Orleans Train Jazzband translate the 'sound of the south' in their own way. On the last day, Compro Oro, Aõ and the Zouratié Koné Ensemble hit the exotic tour with sounds and musical influences from all over the world.

Discover the jazz of tomorrow
The Place de la Chapelle is entirely dedicated to Brussels Jazz Alert, the platform founded two years ago to put new or innovative jazz talent in the spotlight. Every month throughout the year a showcase in a different Brussels club takes place, in addition to a podcast in collaboration with LeFtO and a photo report. Now they are all brought together on one stage.

Furthermore, the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (KCB) and the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles (CRB) are sending their best ensembles, bringing the square at the Oud Korenhuis to life with young, ambitious students eager to bring their musical talents to an audience.
 
Indoor concerts at iconic spots
The Bonnefooi, Archiduc, Roskam, Sounds Jazz Club, Café Merlo, Walvis, Jazz Station, The Music Village and many more iconic spots in Brussels will host free concerts all weekend long. The indoor programme also includes a broad mix of hip-hop, electro-jazz, free jazz, swing, funk, chanson and so much more. A circuit that lends itself perfectly to combining with the outdoor concerts.Even more jazz?
Absolutely! On Saturday 27 May, brass bands from all corners of Europe will march through the streets of Brussels during the Brass Parade. Brass fans are invited to march with the brass bands along a route full of clattering brass sounds that will echo across the lively downtown streets.

Music lovers in the municipalities of Saint-Gilles, Etterbeek and Anderlecht can also discover talent through a wide range of concerts and mini-festivals. GC De Pianofabriek (Sint-Gilles) will kick off on 26 May with a double bill by Uwase and Simba, and on 27 May Nicolas Kummert and KAU trio will be present on the Van Meyelplein (Etterbeek). Finally, at the foot of the Marchant bridge (Anderlecht), 'Jazz On the Canal' will be held: concerts on the roof of a boat on the canal. Don Kapot and Tiganwa will offer mesmerzing concerts on this unique event during the last day of the festival on 28 May.

In short: during Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend, Brussels is overflown with musical initiatives with more than 150 concerts. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, gender or cultural background, to come and enjoy the festival.
Check out the full programme of Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend 2023