BART DEFOORT

Tenor & Soprano Saxophones , composer.

Bart Defoort is a player with a open and curious mind , who has worked in many different Jazz - contexts since the mid -1980’s.

He plays with a warm sound, which is lyrical and energetic . He loves to play in a very melodic way , through nice harmonic pathways, while always having a deep musical conversation with his fellow musicians.

His style of playing is deeply rooted in his love of the musical language of the many Jazzmasters he admires , while at the same time he is always looking for a personal twist in his musical story-telling , like every musician with a big passion for improvisation.

He has been a member of different longstanding bands , as well as being a leader and composer for his own groups.

Beginnings:

He was born in Bruges (1964°) and grew up in a musical family. He fell in love with the Saxophone , and with Jazz and Improvisation in his teens through his oldest brother , pianist & composer Kris Defoort.

He studied with teachers like Pierre Vaiana , Steve Houben and John Ruocco. At that time , there were yet no real “official” Jazzschools , and Bart learned mostly through studying the recordings of his favourite players and going out to the many Jam sessions around Brussels.

He also attended some very inspiring Jazz Summer Camps with Joe Lovano, Dave Holland, Paul Motian, John Ruocco.

In the 1980’s , he moved to Brussels , where he became part of the vital local and national Jazzscene . he started to work professionally around 1984 in Jazzgroups, but also in Music Theater, The Blindman Saxophone Quartet etc…

Professional Life:

Many Concerts + CD Recordings with:

-1990-1994 : KD’s Basement Party (Sextet led by Kris Defoort).
-1992-2000 : OCTURN ( Octet led by Bo Van Der Werf ).
-1993-2025 : BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA
-1999-2002: STREAMS (Quartet co-led with Diederik Wissels)
-1995- Ongoing : as a Leader with his own Trio’s, Quartets and a Quintet.
-2005- Ongoing: Bart Defoort & Victor Da Costa Quartet.
-1995- Ongoing: as a sideman with bandleaders : Bart Quartier, Ernst
Vranckx , Marnix Busstra, Chris Joris (+ Mal Waldron) , BAM! Trio, Etc…

Teaching:

-1992-2009: Art High School , Antwerp (Dé Kunsthumaniora)
-2009-Ongoing: KASK, Ghent Conservatory & University
-1995- Ongoing : Jazz Summercamps of AKDT, Libbramont .
of Halewynstichting , Dworp.