OUT NOW
Because there are a lot of questions about playing the music of Jelle Van Giel Group, leadsheets are available HERE.
It's a pleasure to know that the music lives on while the group is taking a break and focussing on other projects, like Close Distance 💥
While the leadsheets are free, you still can support by purchasing the music on Bandcamp or buy me a Coffee 🙏
“..Constant through all the musical splendor on Third Story
is an effervescent and infectiously positive energy that bubbles
up like a relentless source of energy beneath every song..”
“..Third Story is a blissfully, sunny album that comes out at
a time when we could all use some sunshine..” (Luminous Dash)
“..The arrangements are exceptional and Jelle Van Giel turns out to be a particularly gifted ‘sound producer’ who knows how to give his band a tone that flatters the ear..” “..Rooted in tradition but cultivated by modern choices, Third Story is a successful production whose thousands of nuances can be tasted and discovered through listening..” (DragonJazz.com)
*** "..It's lyrical, pleasant and sophisticated: the arrangements are impeccable and inspiring.." "..A very beautiful album which tells stories of today, from the pandemic to the digitization and to the defense of the planet and its inhabitants.." (Le Soir)
"..warm music for the coming cold days.." (Radio 1)
"A live concert serves as a supplement to the recording. In this septet, this assignment was carried out down to the last detail. The connection with the new CD was there, clearly enriched with a lot of unexpected inspirations and shifts. A double hit by Jelle Van Giel Group with 'Third Story'." (Jazzenzo.nl)
''Your album is a must. We are happy to reward Third Story as a « Hit Couleurs Jazz » !'' (Couleurs Jazz Radio Paris)
"..The dramaturgy is unique - the backbone of the album consists of six interludes in the form of small duets, in which the leader improvises with each teammate in the band.." (skjazz.sk)
Radio interview Today In Jazz: Musiq3 - RTBF with Philippe Baron (French-English)
Written interview for Jazz'halo with Bernard Lefèbre (Dutch)
Radio interview T!me Out - Radio 1 with Michaël Robberechts (Dutch)
BIO
JELLE VAN GIEL GROUP are...
Jelle Van Giel - drums/compositions
Thomas Mayade - trumpet/flugelhorn
Tom Bourgeois - alt sax/bass clarinet
Matthias Van Den Brande - tenor sax
Tim Finoulst - guitar/slide guitar
Bram Weijters - piano/keys
Janos Bruneel - double bass
GENRE
Modern, instrumental, lyrical, improvisational jazz band
INFLUENCES
Ben Wendel Group, Braxton Cook, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Gilad Hekselman, Aaron Parks, Petros Klampanis, SFJazz Collective among others
PRESS QUOTES
The young drummer and composer makes a great debut with Songs For Everyone. He wrote nicely constructed songs for a big ensemble, sometimes almost completely pure, often with the necessary dramatic tension. (De Standaard****)
A much promising debut that also deserves an audience outside the jazz scene. (De Morgen****)
This is a 'must have' for everyone who enjoys lyrical and melodic jazz. Van Giel received congratulations for this album from the great Jef Neve and John Ruocco. We already look forward to the live performances of this music! (JazzMozaïek *****)
'It splashes, it sparkles, it embraces, in short it feels great to listen to this music!' (Cees Van de Ven)
2017: Laureate Maastricht Jazz Award
JELLE VAN GIEL GROUP is an Antwerp based instrumental band, established in 2012, with a classical jazz format that partly builds on that rich tradition, but also looks for new timbres and more modern, contemporary influences. Consider Miles Davis' line-up for Kind Of Blue, with the addition of an electric guitar to create even more effects and colors. The sound of the debut album Songs For Everyone (Hevhetia, 2015) combines the past and the present, which is always Jelle's starting point. This album is mainly based on modal jazz of the 50s, but also on rock, contemporary music and African rhythms. The arrangements are well thought-out, yet sometimes remarkably pure, with plenty of room for the musicians to provide their own input. The Journey (Hevhetia, 2017) starts from a tonal context with influences from bebop, modern jazz and grooves. With Third Story (Hevhetia), Jelle continues to develop his previous repertoire, even more colorous thanks to the expansion of the instrumental range, using bass clarinet, pedal steel and synths. As always, the songs come from the urge to grasp fascinating aspects of life: the increasing digitalisation, the current pandemic and even the restricted freedom of human beings and animals are converted into music. Undoubtedly unique on this album are the six duo intermezzos that Jelle improvises together with each of his musicians. This way he does not only place each of them in the spotlight, he lets everyone contribute to the story. The album is expected in 2021.
Jelle's strength is arranging a visual story around lyrical themes that touch you. This makes the music accessible to a wide audience. The first two albums were well received. The numerous great reviews and a lot of airplay at home and abroad prove this.
