Bruges jazz label W.E.R.F. records – abbreviated from Wasted Energy Record Factory – was established in 1993 as a one-off support act for Bruges pianist Kris Defoort. More than thirty years later, their roster reads like an encyclopaedic overview of Belgian jazz. Think: pioneers like Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Robin Verheyen (TaxiWars), but also the latest trainblazers like Vitja Pauwels, MDCIII, Karen Willems, PAARD., Dorian Dumont or schntzl. After previous W.E.R.F nights at AB, now it’s time for new talent and attention to new releases!

7:35 pm
HELENA CASELLA: BELGIAN-BRAZILIAN VOCALIST DEBUTS (DRA)
Helena Casella is a Belgian-Brazilian vocalist with a deep, soft and warm voice. She mixes R&B, soul, hip-hop and modern jazz with the colourful sounds of Brazil. Her story sways between the world of the intimate and the ethereal. Her debut (working title: ‘Pit of Impressions’) will be released in early 2025.

8:50 pm
TRANCE PLANTATIONS: BLACK FLOWER MEMBERS MAKE ‘FICTIONAL TRIBE MUSIC’
Trance Plantations is the latest brainchild of Nathan Daems and Falk Schrauwen (both members of Black Flower and Echoes of Zoo). They describe what they make as ‘fictional Tribe music (from space)’. That previously resulted in a self-titled debut album on which collaborated with The Comet Is Coming members Danalogue and Betamax. You’ll get to hear follow-up ‘Behind your face’ for the very first time at this W.E.R.F. records night.

10:00 pm
SPOOK
A new (super-)trio in the Belgian jazz firmament! SPOOK is drummer Simon Segers (De Beren Gieren + MDCIII), contrabassist Nicolas Rombouts (Ottla + Dez Mona) and guitarist Filip Wauters (The Whodads + Backback). Since 2020, they have been exploring improvisations laced with small pieces of composition. From intimate and minimal droning to explosive grooves. SPOOK sounds like a hypnotic trip: exciting, dark, psychedelic, Lynchian. In 2022, we saw the release of their self-titled debut. It was met with enthusiastic reviews and well received concerts, of which Ghent Jazz in 2023 is the current highlight.
On their new album 'The Brood' they create a more contemporary sound, far from country, incorporating almost Eastern influences, more meditative improvs and more abstract repetitive compositions. Oor on that: “True Art.” (Oor). Knack: ****