In preparation for the 53rd Breathing project, Royal Conservatoire Antwerp invited none other than American pianist Aaron Parks as coach. He will rehearse intensively with the students for a week. You will hear and see the result of their creative quest on the stage of de Singer on Friday 1 March.
With the Breathing project, Royal Conservatoire Antwerp has been supporting jazz students, both logistically and artistically, in their search for their own personality for ten years. The programme does this by engaging an established jazz musician for in-depth, intensive coaching.
With Aaron Parks, the Conservatoire was able to attract one of the heavyweights of the contemporary jazz scene. He began his musical career under the wings of Terence Blanchard. Meanwhile, he worked with artists such as Christian Scott, Kendrick Scott, Gretchen Parlato, Ambrose Akinmusire, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Will Vinson, Thomas Morgan, Ben Street and Billy Hart. He was also part of the James Farm Quartet with Joshua Redman, Matt Penman and Eric Harland. Nonesuch released their self-titled album in 2011. Parks also recorded several albums under his own name, both for Blue Note and ECM.
Aaron Parks is joined on stage by students Elias Nieuwejaers (sax), Toon Rumen (double bass), Sam Hinnekens (drums). Together they are Radiant Nexus.