Belgian Saxophonist
Jeroen Vanbever
Jeroen Vanbever is a fervent young Belgian saxophonist who feels just as comfortable in a concert hall as in a jazz club. He knows how to tell his musical story wherever he is, focusing on strong melodies and deep emotions. This makes him a one of a kind saxophonist with a uniquely personal voice.
Alongside his extensive freelance work with, among others, the Belgian National Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra and Circus Ronaldo, he primarily seeks out innovative concepts and surprising fusions between classical, jazz, pop/rock and folk music. For example, he collaborated with composer Jeroen D’hoe and pianist Bart Van Caenegem (Gwen Cresens Quartet & the Frivole Framboos) on a crossover project for the 17th World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg.
His Núna Ensemble is a unique quintet with saxophone and string quartet, whilst Duo Vanbever-Heytens explores the intimate interplay between saxophone and piano. In VIBRANT, a solo project, he creates inspiring musical stories with saxophone, loop station, effects pedals and visuals by Sammy Slabbinck.
Jeroen is an equally passioned educator and shares his knowledge and experience as a saxophonist with both young and old. Jeroen teaches at LUCA School of Arts, Campus Lemmens and at GO! Academie Willebroek.
As an International Yanagisawa Artist, Vandoren Artist and Keyleaves Artist, Jeroen plays on Yanagisawa saxophones, Vandoren Mouthpieces and reeds, and uses KeyLeaves accesories.
Recordings
TENOR TRIBUTE – DEBUT ALBUM
A Tribute To Sax
Toutes mes félicitations, Monsieur Jeroen Vanbever pour votre interprétation du concerto de mon père, Henri Tomasi!
– Claude Tomasi, Fils d’Henri Tomasi
I worked with Jeroen Vanbever recently and found him to be a talented instrumentalist, a chamber musician who listens well, and a young artist with innovative programming ideas. He is a dedicated, thoughtful musician who works very hard at his craft, and collaborates very effectively with other musicians. A young artist to watch, I wish him every success in his career.
– Kyle Horch, saxophone professor, Royal College of Music, London
Most Notable Premieres
May 5, 2014: European première of Piet Swerts’ Hat City Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano in the Concert Hall of LUCA School of Arts in Leuven, in cooperation with pianist Filip Martens.
July 11, 2015: Worldpremière of Jeroen D’hoe’s Ella’s Blues for Tenor Saxophone and Piano at the 17th World Saxophone Congres in Strasbourg, France, in cooperation with pianist Bart Van Caenegem.
12 juli 2018: Worldpremière of Jeroen’s own composition VIBRANT, for Baritone Saxophone, Loopstation and Visuals at the 18th World Saxophone Congres in Zagreb, Croatia.
Total Premieres
13 juli 2018: Worldpremière of Andreas Moulins’ One More Time for Tenor Saxophone and String Quartet, at the 18th World Saxophone Congres in Zagreb, Croatia, in cooperation with Zerkalo Quartet.
1 februari 2020: European première of David Maslanka’s Heaven to Clear When Day Did Close for Tenor Saxophone and String Quartet, at Theater M in Mechelen, with Núna Ensemble.
20 februari 2022: World première of Lennert Baert’s ‘What Role Am I To Play?’ for Tenor Saxophone and String Quartet, at Hollands College in Leuven, with Núna Ensemble.
Jeroen Vanbever, who premiered my composition “Ella’s Blues” is a great, dedicated performer with a natural and open-minded approach to classical, jazz and crossover. His all-round musicianship is no doubt his distinctive strength.
– Jeroen D’hoe, Composer
Among his virtues, I would highlight his flexibility and artistic sensitivity, combined with a very high technical knowledge of the instrument. As I have seen him on several occasions, playing both classical and contemporary music, as well as a slightly more alternative, a bit jazzy, repertoire and even interpreting his own compositions with saxophone and electronics, thus demonstrating his commitment to the present time and his concern to seek new forms of expression. All this together with a great capacity of work, always demonstrating a perfect attitude, make Jeroen an excellent professional of whom I have no doubts about his positive and interesting proposals to the world of the saxophone of the future.