Jef on home turf

Pics and text by Neal Gowen, CJ’s foreign correspondent in Belgium

Yes we are in Belgium again and catching some more music. Two weeks ago we went to see a free concert by Jef Neve. It was in the Gent suburb of Sint-Martens-Latem and was part of a celebration for the official opening of the refurbished riverbank area of the Leie River, which runs through Gent. The event was organised by the local Sint Martens-Latem Flemmish equivalent of the town council. Free beer, food and music. The Belgians know how to organise a do! Jef only played a short 45 minute set consisting of compositions such as Kundalini and Solitude from his new CD. The PA was great and a top quality sound for the reasonably large crowd. I caught up with him and his manager Pieter for a quick chat afterwards. Sint-Martens-Latem is quite a wealthy suburb and home to many artists, sculptors and musicians. Jef’s practice studio is actually the white building in the second photo, nice location right next to the river. The sculptures are typical of what is dotted around the suburb. / Neal Gowen

Gent again

Pics by Neal Gowan

I think he's coming home soon, but Neal's still at it. He's sent a few more pics of the Genste Feesten (Gent Festival), a music and arts festival in Gent, Belgium that runs for 10 days, July 17-26. Everything from classical, jazz, world, rock to hip-hop along with drama, dance, street theatre, puppetry and more. A number of the main stages are set up in the central city square underneath the Belfry and churches: very atmospheric. The sun sets around 10.30pm here the main acts often go to 3am. Apart from the stages here are many buskers plying their trade on the streets. The largest group was 30 musicians from the Netherlands Stroat Ensemble jazz band. The first jazz group here was the Bram Weijters Trio with Nicolas Rombouts, bass, and Steven Cassiers, drums, along with Angela Morris playing sax. The group got together at Antwerp Con.

Genste Feesten website

Stroat Ensemble

Geraadsbergen

Pics by Neal Gowen

Geraadsbergen is a small town south of Gent in Belgium. Neal Gowen and An dropped into this bar and caught two bands. Neal reports that Big Band 86 was very good. It’s led by Marc Godfroid of the Brussels Jazz Orchestra and the SWR Big Band and comprises students and staff of the local conservatorium, at which Marc teaches. More info at the links below.

Marc Godfroid on Facebook

Big Band '86

Gent

Pics by Neal Gowen

CJ's mate Neal Gowen of ArtSound is in Belgium and sent a few pics of the Gent Jazz Festival. The feature was Pat Metheny and supporting acts included radioKUKAorkest, Jungle Boldie (with Tony Overwater), and Odean Pope & His All Star ‘Odean’s List’. (All new to me). The festival is held in the Bijloke which used to be the Gent hospital but is now an arts centre. Neal’s partner, An, was born there a few moons ago.