Artist Bio Submission Thread

Eric Vloeimans

Eric Vloeimans (1963), born in the Netherlands, is regarded as one of Europe’s best trumpet players. He shows an extraordinary talent for playing original music with an outstanding quality. On his cd's Vloeimans prefers to record original compositions. As a composer he does not feel restricted to one particular style, but at the same time, he has managed to create a language of his own. His writing is fresh and creative, yet not without feel and respect for the tradition. The great musical talent and the expressive power of the music of Eric Vloeimans have been honoured by winning the Dutch Edison Award four times, the Boy Edgar Award, the Elly Ameling oeuvre prize and the prestigious Bird Award at the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Eric Vloeimans has been active in a wide variety of ensembles all over the years. The Eric Vloeimans Quartet and his recent Gatecrash group have earned reputations as being Holland's top bands. Vloeimans' performances with a multitude of other formations has shown his versatility. His musical talent, easy-going attitude and great sense of humour have brought him to play with national and international artists. Eric Vloeimans has attained a level that enables him to share the stage with many of the most reputable and established musicians in the jazz scene and beyond. He played with Marc Johnson, Pierre Courbois, The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Michiel Borstlap, Jeroen van Vliet, Nguyên Lê, Anton Goudsmit, Spinvis, Jimmy Haslip, Lars Danielsson, Michael Moore, Joey Baron, Mercer Ellington, John Taylor, Harmen Fraanje, Henny Vrienten and many, many others.

His musical cooperation’s have taken Eric Vloeimans abroad many times. With diverse artists and ensembles he played all over Europe, South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Japan. The experiences from his travels influence his work constantly. The music of Eric Vloeimans shows a

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remarkable power to create bridges and reach the hearts of people all over the world.

from www.allaboutjazz.com

Jacques Schwarz-Bart was born of mixed races. His early experience as a man taught him that one can be a harmonious receptacle for several cultures, as long as each one is given its value and importance. After graduating from the French School of Government (Sciences Po Paris), Jacques has been working for the French Senate. While his first instrument is the Gwoka Drums from Guadeloupe – his native country, he discovers the tenor saxophone at age 24, and three years later, quits his career to go and study at the Berklee College of music.

After playing alongside such luminaries as Roy Hargrove, Danilo Perez, Ari Hoenig, Meshell n’Degeocello, D’angelo or Chucho Valdes, Jacques finally decides to follow his own vision as a band leader. He then leaves Roy Hargrove’s band in 2005 and finalizes his Gwoka Jazz Project, gathering some faithful and talented musicians such as Sonny Troupé, Olivier Juste or Milan Milanovic. Jacques and his Gwoka Project record two albums for Universal, “Soné Ka La” and “Abyss”, which have built his current career as an internationally acclaimed jazz band leader.

In 2010, he releases “Rise Above”, which revives his long lasting collaboration with singer - and spouse - Stephanie McKay. As Bob Davis puts it: “This album sounds like what might have happened if John Coltrane and Minnie Riperton were to make an album together”.

More recently, Jacques, whose fertile brain seems to never rest, has launched three new projects, ranging from straight jazz to Caribbean roots music. The first one is a free trio with guitar, drums and saxophone. The absence of bass, while freeing the music from the ground, provides an aerial –almost ethereal - quality to the music. The wide open space becomes a formidable launching pad for the multi-dimensional playing of Gilad Hekselman and Obed Calvaire.

During these last years, Jacques had the opportunity to play with drummer Leon Parker, pianist Baptiste Trotignon and bassist Thomas Bramerie. From these encounters, a Quartet came up. The music takes off effortlessly. The players soar with unpredictable but purposeful creativity, while showing an unbreakable sense of unity. All the members of the band contribute in the writing and direction of the music. A recording is in the works for the end of 2011 and should display how special a symbiosis is achieved here.

Last but not least, Jacques has created a project that synergizes modern jazz and ritual voodoo music from Haiti. It features two Voodoo priests: the great singer Errol Josué, and percussionist Gaston Bonga, as well as some of the finest Jazz musicians: Etienne Charles, Obed Calvaire, Luqies Cutis, and Milan Milanovic. While remaining a jazz project, the music is lifted by the powerful spirituality of voodoo music. Band members and audience seem to be sailing together on a sea of light. The music was just presented as the headliner for the opening day of the famous Banlieues Bleues festival on March 11th, 2011 in Paris. Jacques then begins to tour with this project, including concerts in Morocco (Essaouira Festival), Guadeloupe, and more to come.

from artist's site

AIEVEA

It's there. Thanks 

It's more the fact that artists are added without bios, so I thought it would be nice to try to fill out JMA's empty halls 

thanks, added

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Do you think the couple threads that I opened could be stickied? It would make them much easier to find, IMO.