BRUSSELS JAZZ MARATHON

On Friday 29 and Saturday 30 May, Brussels will again become the beating jazz-heart of Belgium. That's when the BRUSSELS JAZZ MARATHON will travel through the city with a not-to-be-missed programme. The annual rendez-vous for those who love a good vibe. More than 125 concerts, or rather 450 musicians, set the city ablaze! From open-air stages on the Great Market, the Zavel, Saint Katelijne Square and Fernand Cocq Square, completed by a swinging indoor-circuit in countless clubs and cafés including - of course - our very own AB. To be discovered – and for free! - in the AB: The Black Napkins and also YUL, as part of the third RAT RECORDS evening…

RAT RECORDS # 3 feat. THE BLACK NAPKINS + YUL

AB and RAT RECORDS – the label of multi-faceted jazz-drummer Teun Verbruggen and Bruno Vansina – already worked together last season. So it happened that RAT RECORDS has already presented two concert evenings in our ABClub. Teun Verbruggen is certainly no unknown to the AB. Last year he appeared on stage with his trusted Jef Neve Trio and also with José James. In a slightly less recent past he's shared a stage with Mike Patton and John Zorn as part of Othin Spake, and with Flat Earth Society he opened for Fantômas. Already certain to appear at RAT RECORDS EVENT # 3: The Black Napkins and also Yul.

THE BLACK NAPKINS
A trio from Holland that is soon to debut on – surprise! - Rat Records. The Black Napkins – who take their name from a Frank Zappa song – belong to the new generation of Dutch improvisational musicians. ZXZW about their style: “It's no jazz-jazz. It's no impro-impro. It's no pop band that has ‘arty’ pretentions.” It's been noted.

Line up:
Sanne van Hek: trumpet
Jasper Stadhouders: guitar
Gerri Jäger: drums

YUL
Trio Yul can be typified by Erwin Vann's lyrical sax-sound and Michel Mergaerts' melodic bass. Drummer Pierre Tanguay, figurehead of the impro-scène in Quebec, provides the necessary flexibility.