A new project in 2025, initiated by FAZZ and JazzLab with the support of CultuurCulture, is a Belgium Booms collaboration with the backing of WBM and VI.BE.
The idea is to erase the thick linguistic border that makes it difficult to access jazz concert venues on the other side of the language border: to this end, on March 19 and 20, 2025, Leuven Jazz welcomed 4 groups selected from the winners of 4 Call for Artists in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (Wallonia and Brussels Federation):
MUNSCH TRIO (selected by Gaume Jazz Festival)
With their virtuosity and the addition of electronic effects, this Belgian-Brazilian trio creates music that opens hearts.
STÉPHANE GALLAND & THE RHYTHM HUNTERS (selected by Leuven Jazz)
In this adventurous sextet, drummer Stéphane Galland hunts down rhythms from all over the world.
UNDER THE REEFS ORCHESTRA (from the Fringe European Jazz Conference selection)
An instrumental power trio between the frontiers of jazz and alternative rock. For fans of Moondog, The Comet Is Coming, Kamasi Washington…
VAGANÉE – GERSTMANS – VERBRUGGEN (from the Jazz Tour selection)
This virtuoso and subtle trio performs a delightful concert of bop standards and their own compositions.
BEX (from the Brussels Jazz Alert selection)
A blend of ethereal vocals, alt-pop textures and ear-pleasing electronics… discover Bex!
On the other hand, Gaume Jazz Festival welcomes Rossignol 4 dutch-speaking bands in Rossignol in August 2025:
– 09/08 – CHAPITEAU 2: Burn sings Nina (Selected by Leuven Jazz Festival)
– 10/08 – GRAND CHAPITEAU: Bord du Nord (Selected by JazzLab 2024)
– 10/08 : Ellis Floreen (Among the Dutch-language selection for the Fringe of the European Jazz Conference in Ghent 2024)
10/8 SALLE: Kin Gajo (Among the Brussels Jazz Alert 2024 selection)
In addition to the public at each festival, Belgian and international professionals are invited to each edition.