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dinsdag 7 april 2026

WORLD WORLDWIDE EUROPE BELGIUM BRUSSELS - The Toots Jazz Club - Jazz Program - Come for the music, stay because you missed your tram .

 

Come for the music, stay because you missed your tram

🇧🇪 🇫🇷

Salut à Toots !

On est reparti pour une semaine de plus dans votre havre de paix, où seuls les solistes s’affrontent avec bienveillance lors des jams les plus chaudes de la capitale. N’oubliez pas les nouveaux horaires, plus accommodants pour rentrer en bus ou en métro ou si l’on travaille tôt le lendemain !

Mercredi, la jam sera ouverte par un pilier de notre scène et pianiste ultra créatif installé depuis 10 ans à Bruxelles : Simon Groppe, qui retrouve de vieux complices avec Jérémie Fabre et Oscar Georges. Ça démarre à 20h30 !

Jeudi, le piano bar sera assuré par le toujours à propos Casimir Liberski, avant une soirée de jazz New Orleans par un groupe qui maîtrise le sujet mais ne s’était plus produit depuis un petit moment : The Blue Mockingbirds. Un sextet qui vaut le détour, avec des passionnés de swing et la voix envoûtante de Felix Heymans.

Vendredi, dans le cadre de sa carte blanche qui nous a déjà offert trois magnifiques soirées, le bassiste slovène Robert Jukic invite cette fois Reini Schmoelzer, l’un des batteurs les plus réputés d’Europe et figure incontournable du jazz autrichien. Une équipe de choc complète le quintet avec le saxophoniste irlandais Sam Comerford, notre fierté nationale Jean-Paul Estiévenart et l’extraordinaire pianiste Bram De Looze, au toucher magique. Pour la late jam, c’est Vincent Thekal qui se chargera de lancer les ébats musicaux.

Samedi, Renaud Dardenne et son trio invitent une star absolue du jazz manouche. Le multi-instrumentiste aveugle Tcha Limberger nous fera l’honneur de fouler notre tapis oriental Ikea pour une soirée qui s’annonce exceptionnelle. Il ne reste déjà plus beaucoup de places, donc dépêchez-vous si vous voulez avoir l’occasion d’entendre cette pépite. Pour la late jam, on profite du passage de la jeune garde portugaise dans la capitale, invitée par le jeune et talentueux batteur brésilien Gabriel Moraes pour une ouverture aux petits oignons… bien chauds !

Dimanche, à 16h, on retrouve une partie de l’équipe de la jam pour deux sets de bebop et hard bop comme il se doit, avec un hommage à Max Roach, père de la batterie moderne et légende ayant accompagné plétore d’enregistrements mythiques de Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie ou Bud Powell. Il dirigea l’un des groupes les plus exaltants de l’histoire avec Clifford Brown et participa notamment à une session mémorable en trio avec Duke Ellington et Charles Mingus. Pour la quatrième soirée de sa résidence (à 19h !!!), Marek Patrman invite Jean-Paul Estiévenart et Géraud Portal à partager deux sets où ces trois créateurs de grand talent vous en mettront plein les oreilles pour démarrer la semaine suivante du bon pied.

La musique adoucit les mœurs — et en live, avec une bière à la main, c’est encore plus vrai.


🇧🇪 🇳🇱

Salut à Toots !

We zijn weer vertrokken voor een nieuwe week in jullie oase van rust, waar alleen de solisten elkaar vriendelijk bekampen tijdens de heetste jams van de hoofdstad. Vergeet de nieuwe uren niet — handiger om nog een bus of metro te halen, of als je de volgende dag vroeg op moet!

Woensdag wordt de jam geopend door een vaste waarde van onze scene en een bijzonder creatieve pianist die al 10 jaar in Brussel zit: Simon Groppe, samen met oude kompanen Jérémie Fabre en Oscar Georges. Start om 20u30!

Donderdag zorgt de altijd scherpe Casimir Liberski voor de piano bar, gevolgd door een avond New Orleans jazz met een band die weet waarover het gaat, maar zich al even niet meer had laten zien: The Blue Mockingbirds. Een sextet dat de moeite is, met echte swingliefhebbers en de betoverende stem van Felix Heymans.

Vrijdag, in het kader van zijn carte blanche die ons al drie prachtige avonden opleverde, nodigt de Sloveense bassist Robert Jukic deze keer Reini Schmoelzer uit — één van de meest gerenommeerde drummers van Europa en een sleutelfiguur in de Oostenrijkse jazzscene. Een topbezetting vervolledigt het quintet met de Ierse saxofonist Sam Comerford, onze nationale trots Jean-Paul Estiévenart en de uitzonderlijke pianist Bram De Looze, met zijn magische touch. Voor de late jam neemt Vincent Thekal de muzikale gevechten voor zijn rekening.

Zaterdag nodigen Renaud Dardenne en zijn trio een absolute ster van de gypsy jazz uit. De blinde multi-instrumentalist Tcha Limberger zal ons de eer aandoen om ons Ikea-oosters tapijt te betreden voor een avond die uitzonderlijk belooft te worden. Er zijn al niet veel tickets meer, dus wees er snel bij als je deze parel wil horen. Voor de late jam profiteren we van de passage van de jonge Portugese garde in de hoofdstad, uitgenodigd door de jonge en getalenteerde Braziliaanse drummer Gabriel Moraes — opening op maat… lekker heet!

Zondag om 16u vinden we een deel van de jamcrew terug voor twee sets bebop en hard bop zoals het hoort, met een hommage aan Max Roach, vader van de moderne drum en legende die meewerkte aan talloze iconische opnames van Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie en Bud Powell. Hij leidde één van de meest opwindende groepen uit de geschiedenis met Clifford Brown en speelde onder meer een memorabele triorecording met Duke Ellington en Charles Mingus. Voor de vierde avond van zijn residentie (om 19u!!!) nodigt Marek Patrman Jean-Paul Estiévenart en Géraud Portal uit voor twee sets die je week meteen goed zullen inzetten.

Muziek verzacht de zeden — en live, met een pintje in de hand, nog net iets meer.


🇬🇧

Hello Toots !

We’re off again for another week in your little haven of peace, where only the soloists go head-to-head — always in good spirit — during some of the hottest jam sessions in the capital. Don’t forget the new timings, now a bit more convenient if you need to catch a bus or metro, or if you’ve got an early start the next day.

On Wednesday, the jam is opened by one of the pillars of our scene and a highly creative pianist who has been based in Brussels for the past 10 years: Simon Groppe, joined by long-time accomplices Jérémie Fabre and Oscar Georges. Things kick off at 8:30pm.

Thursday begins with the ever-inspired Casimir Liberski at the piano bar, followed by a night of New Orleans jazz from a band that truly knows its craft — and that we haven’t seen for a while: The Blue Mockingbirds. A sextet well worth your time, with devoted swing players and the captivating voice of Felix Heymans.

On Friday, as part of his carte blanche — which has already brought us three beautiful evenings — Slovenian bassist Robert Jukic invites Reini Schmoelzer, one of Europe’s most renowned drummers and a key figure on the Austrian jazz scene. A stellar line-up completes the quintet with Irish saxophonist Sam Comerford, our national pride Jean-Paul Estiévenart, and the outstanding pianist Bram De Looze, with his unmistakable touch. The late jam will be opened by Vincent Thekal.

Saturday sees Renaud Dardenne and his trio welcoming an absolute star of gypsy jazz. Blind multi-instrumentalist Tcha Limberger will grace our (Ikea) oriental carpet for what promises to be an exceptional evening. Tickets are already running low, so don’t wait too long if you’d like to catch this gem. For the late jam, we take advantage of the presence of a young Portuguese crew in town, invited by the talented Brazilian drummer Gabriel Moraes — expect a finely crafted (and rather fiery) opening set.

On Sunday at 4pm, part of the jam crew returns for two sets of bebop and hard bop as it should be, with a tribute to Max Roach — father of modern drumming and a legend who contributed to countless landmark recordings with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. He led one of the most exhilarating bands in history with Clifford Brown, and notably took part in a memorable trio session with Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus. For the fourth night of his residency (7pm!!!), Marek Patrman invites Jean-Paul Estiévenart and Géraud Portal for two sets that will send you into the new week in the best possible way.

Music softens the mood — and live, with a beer in hand, even more so.

PUMP UP THE JAM WITH SIMON GROPPE - Jazz Jam
mercredi 8 avril - 20:30
Simon Groppe (p) + guest

The Hang! 

More info

Key Time : Casimir Liberski - AFTER WORK
jeudi 9 avril - 18:00
Casimir Liberski (piano)

New weekly rendezvous!
Every Thursday, start your evening the right way — after work, before dinner, or as a prelude to the night’s concert — with the finest local pianists playing timeless standards in a warm piano-bar atmosphere.

In partnership with Omer!

More info

Blue Mockingbirds - New-Orleans Style
jeudi 9 avril - 20:30
Antoine Lissoir (sax) ; Anton Kerkhof (cl) ; Timothé le Maire (tb) ; Guillaume Gillain (gt) ; Jérémie Fabre (bj) ; Felix Heymans (cb)

Their fascination with 1920s jazz first led them to share streets and stages with fellow musicians who share the same passion. Out of those encounters a distinctive band was born: The Blue Mockingbirds.

The group takes its name from one of America’s most musical birds, famous for its ability to imitate the songs of many others. A fitting reference: the Blue Mockingbirds enjoy exploring and revisiting this early repertoire, but never settle for simply reproducing it.

Starting from century-old melodies, the band composes, rearranges and reshapes the material with great taste, drawing inspiration from the joyful spirit of New Orleans jazz.

A musical journey back to the roots of jazz, full of colour, spontaneity and that unmistakable sense of freedom.

More info

Robert Jukic Invites Reini Schmoelzer - Heavy Hitters
vendredi 10 avril - 19:30 and 21:30
Robert Jukic (b) ; Reini Schmoelzer (dr) ; Jean-Paul Estievenart (trp) ; Bram De Looze (p) ; Sam Comerford (ts)

A unique concert. As part of his carte blanche, bassist Robert Jukic, who delighted us last month with two exceptional concerts alongside a formidable line-up, returns this time with Reini Schmoelzer, widely regarded as one of the leading drummers in Austria.

Around this powerful rhythm section are three of the most compelling musicians on the Brussels and European scenes: the ever-essential Jean-Paul Estiévenart, a trumpeter no serious jazz listener can ignore; Bram De Looze, arguably the most outstanding piano talent of his generation; and Sam Comerford, an Irish saxophonist who impresses at every turn with his creativity and unique approach to sound.

A quintet whose deep musical connections allow for complete trust — and whose one-off configuration may well lead the musicians to surprise even themselves, much to our delight.

Standards and original compositions are on the menu for a moment that will only exist tonight. Don’t miss it.

Made possible with the support of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Brussels.

More info

LATE JAM WITH VINCENT THEKAL - Jam Session
vendredi 10 avril - 23:00
Vincent Thekal (s) + guests

The late Hang ! 

More info

The Renaud Dardenne Trio invites Tcha Limberger - Gypsy Super Star
samedi 11 avril - 19:30 and 21:30
Tcha Limberger (vl, voc) ; Renaud Dardenne (gt) ; Benjamin Clement (gt) ; Boris Schmidt (db)

Tcha Limberger is probably one of the most impressive Roma musicians of our time. A violinist, singer, clarinetist — and much more — he moves with almost supernatural ease between jazz, Roma music and Balkan traditions.

Blind from birth, he developed an extraordinary ear and musical memory that have allowed him, over the years, to become a world reference. His knowledge of styles, languages and repertoires impresses even the most seasoned musicians.

For this evening at the Toots Jazz Club, he joins the trio of guitarist Renaud Dardenne, an essential figure of gypsy jazz in Belgium, whom audiences have notably heard alongside Limberger in Les Violons de Bruxelles, but also with Fapy Lafertin and Marcel Loeffler, two world-class masters of gypsy jazz.

With his trio, built around a deep musical complicity with guitarist Benjamin Clément and the solid foundation of bassist Boris Schmidt, he lays down a velvet carpet on which Tcha Limberger can express all his spirit of musical sharing and his extraordinary virtuosity.

A meeting between a close-knit trio and a guest of genius, in the intimacy of the Toots.

Swing and emotion guaranteed.

More info

Late Jam with Gabriel Moraes - Jam Session
samedi 11 avril - 23:00
Gabirel Moraes (dr) and guests

The Hang 

More info

Nostalgia in Grand Place : Max Roach - Tribute
dimanche 12 avril - 16:00
Gabriel Moraes (dr) ; Victor Carrascosa (tr) ; Hugo Lobo (p) ; Garbiel Marciano (sx) ; Basile Rahola (b) and special guests.

If the jazz drum set is what it is today, it is largely thanks to Max Roach. After spending time with the orchestra of Duke Ellington, he became, alongside Kenny Clarke, one of the great pioneers of bebop drumming. Together, they transformed the role of the instrument: from a simple timekeeper, the drums became a central voice in the band, a true driving force behind the creative energy of bebop.

Over the years, Max Roach took part in an extraordinary number of historic recordings with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Bud Powell. In the 1950s, he also co-founded one of the first emblematic hard bop groups with trumpeter Clifford Brown.

After the tragic death of Clifford Brown and pianist Richie Powell in a car accident in 1956, Roach continued a monumental career that lasted well into the early 21st century. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 83, leaving an immense legacy in the history of jazz.

This afternoon, as part of our Nostalgia in Grand Place series, the young Brazilian drummer Gabriel Moraes, a rising phenomenon of the instrument widely praised by his peers, will pay tribute to this major figure of jazz.

More info

Marek Patrman Invites Jean-Paul Estievenart and Géraud Portal - Top-Notch Brussels Scene
dimanche 12 avril - 19:00
Jean-Paul Estievenart (trp) ; Géraud Portal (b) ; Marek Patrman (dr)

Marek Patrman is the kind of musician everyone talks about… yet rarely sees in the spotlight. A strange paradox, considering how every soloist seems to level up the moment he sits behind the drums. Sharp listening, razor-precise interaction, and a constantly shifting energy — he turns every set into a living, breathing playground.

The Toots gives him carte blanche on selected Sunday nights — for good reason.

For this edition, he brings in Jean-Paul Estiévenart. A no-brainer. A sound, a voice, a presence — arguably one of the most defining trumpet players of his generation on the European scene.

Holding it all together: Geraud Portal. A powerhouse on the double bass. Years alongside the greats, flawless musicality, and that rare ability to make every single note breathe.

A trio built for the moment. No safety net. Don’t miss it.

More info

The Toots Jazz Club
6 rue des Chapeliers, 1000 Bruxelles

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