Belgian saxophonist Toine Thys introduces the french-Belgian group ORLANDO, featuring his recent collaborations with the French scene.
This group bears the enigmatic name of the hero of the eponymous and mysterious novel by Virginia Woolf. Like Orlando who swears to remain immortal and who will cross many eras, these four musicians experience together the many aspects of their reality and their evolution through time.

“Nothing thicker than a knife’s blade separates happiness from melancholy.”
― Virginia Woolf, Orlando

He brings together his fellow Belgian virtuoso drummer Teun Verbruggen/Antoine Pierre (Joshua Redman, Philip Catherine, Tom Barman/Taxi Wars),, and two french musicians from the new generation : intense bassist Florent Nisse (David Enhco, Yaron Herman, Michel Portal) and pianist wizard Maxime Sanchez (Magic Malik, Chris Cheek, Flash Pig).. They play original music written by Toine Thys based on his travels to the Balkans and to West Afrika.
A variety of styles and tones, subtle rhythms, music where joy and melancholy mingle at every moment. Played with ease, this music invites you to travel in a poetic universe, and opens the door to the great outdoors. The drumming is airy, and the central double bass breathes like the old tree under which Orlando throws himself. The sound and silences are skillfully shared with the melodies of the bass clarinet, and the ever-changing chords of the virtuoso piano: Musical adventure is at the center of this quartet.
To encourage listening and interaction between the musicians, they chose to record the entire album in a single open space (without cabins or headsets). They chose the big stage of Espace Senghor in Brussels, the same place where they will present the album for its official release. The concentration is palpable, and the musicians are guided by their instinct and trust in each other.
This first album „ORLANDO“ has been released in December 2020 on Hynote Records. In a sober and careful lay out, Toine Thys decided to highlight the work of photographer Gil Mirande through a detachable booklet of 10 black and white photographs. These photos are to be freely put in dialogue with the 10 titles of the album, composed by the saxophonist, but also by Antoine Pierre and Florent Nisse.

Toine Thys (B): saxes, bass clarinet
Antoine Pierre/Teun Verbruggen (B): drums
Maxime Sanchez (FR): piano
Florent Nisse (FR): double bass

Cover: 15/10€