Jazzathome: Nardozza/Pierreux/Gerstmans/Vitacolonna

Four experienced musicians from four different corners of Belgium unite. Trompettist Carlo Nardozza has been very active in the Belgian music world and beyond for two decades, and is highly valued both as a soloist and section player. In addition to various projects under his own name (e.g., Trio in Boca al Lupo or in a duo with accordionist Philippe Thuriot), he was and is a much sought-after sideman (Raymond van het Groenewoud, OTO Machine, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Jelle Van Giel Group, Bram Weijters Quartet, …). Ewout Pierreux (piano) is mainly known as the musical partner of singer Tutu Puoane, but also does a lot of sideman work (Rebirth::Collective, Bart Defoort, Marjan Van Rompay, Close Distance, …) and has played with Bert Joris, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Toots Thielemans, Eva De Roovere… Together with South African trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, he led the South African/Belgian improvisation collective Small World. Bassist Sam Gerstmans has been one of the mainstays of the scene in the south of Belgium for years. He played for a long time in the band of Melanie De Biasio, and worked with, among others, Philip Cathérine, Jean-Paul Estiévenart, Steve Houben, Rick Margitza, Deborah Brown… In Vlaanderen, he is currently most active as a member of the Vaganée/Gerstmans/Verbruggen Trio. Toni Vitacolonna is best known in jazz circles as the regular drummer of the now immortal Brussels Jazz Orchestra, but his versatility and broad interest have also brought him more and more into other musical realms in recent years, such as Kommil Foo and Frank Deruytter’s Minimachine. The four join forces to play swinging acoustic mainstream jazz purely for the fun of it, defying contemporary trends. Together they improvise around blues, bebop, and beautiful melodies from standards to their own pieces. Catchy playing and listening pleasure guaranteed. Carlo Nardozza: trumpet Ewout Pierreux: piano Sam Gerstmans: double bass Toni Vitacolonna: drums