"The two guitarists, who share the same sensitivity, know how to conjure up a form of poetry. Clean beauty, wonderful tonal colors. And the music flows through it, moving, suggestive, and full of finesse, like an hour of respite in a hectic life... simple songs, simple pleasure!" -Pierre Dulieu for Jazz'Halo
The Belgian guitarists Thomas Decock and Artan Buleshkaj found each other in 2024 through
their shared love of Americana, which resulted in the intimate album "Plain Songs." This album
was positively received by the (online) press and radio, and was included in the top 10 jazz
releases of Knack that same year, among others. Now, a new adventure is in the works: the
formation of a dynamic quintet, ready to create a unique sound.
It all started with casual jam sessions. Like many other jazz musicians, Thomas and Artan
sought each other out, discovered a common repertoire, and started making music together.
Their focus quickly shifted from jazz standards to folk- and country-oriented compositions. "Plain
Songs" was a tribute to those influences, a collection of twelve tracks with a mix of country/folk
harmonies and jazzy improvisation, recorded in a pure, unadorned style with engineer/producer
Koen Gisen.
But the desire for more kept growing stronger. That's why Thomas and Artan decided to expand
their formation to a quintet. Yannick Peeters on double bass and Lionel Beuvens on drums were
chosen for their fantastic rhythm tandem; highly interactive, tasteful, and immensely versatile.
They are both established figures in the Belgian jazz scene, with a wealth of experience and a
deep understanding of musical nuances. Werend van den Bossche, a young, up-and-coming
saxophonist, adds an exciting element. He doesn't shy away from adventure and explores, in his
research practice, among other things, the intersections between jazz and folk music, particularly
the fiddle music from the Appalachians. His research into how to translate this phrasing onto his
alto sax makes him an ideal match for this project.
"Plain Songs sounds intimate, as if the musicians are playing in your room. Pure and directly
recorded, Decock (right speaker) and Buleshkaj (left speaker) sound like a fine two-man unit, full of natural chemistry playing off each other," - Dick Hovinga for Written in Music.
It was a conscious choice to bring together experienced musicians with a young talent like
Werend. This combination brings a unique dynamic to the band. The experienced musicians
bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, while Werend brings a fresh, unbiased energy and
new ideas. This creates an exciting cross-pollination, where everyone learns from each other and
inspires each other. The quintet is determined to find its own voice with a repertoire that will
consist entirely of original work. The atmosphere of "Plain Songs" will remain, but with a sturdier
sound, more rock influences, and a richer, more produced sonic landscape.
Album coming in spring 2027.