On Friday, September 12, step into the intimate world of Authentic High End for an evening where music, ambiance, and high-fidelity sound come together in perfect harmony.
Experience a rare collaboration between three acclaimed jazz artists — Erik Vermeulen, Ben Sluijs, and Bruno Corbisier — as they bring their unique energy and artistry to our acoustically refined setting. Expect soulful interplay, expressive improvisation, and a soundscape that resonates long after the final note.
This intimate performance is part of the Velvet Sessions series — curated moments for those who live with all their senses.
🕗 Doors open at 20:00
🎶 Concert starts at 21:00
💶 Entry: €30 per person, including a complimentary drink offered by Authentic High End
Seating is limited, and demand is high — we recommend reserving early to ensure your place.
We look forward to sharing this unforgettable night with you.
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Want to know more about the musicians?
Introduction Ben Sluijs
Education
Ben Sluijs followed a 5-year classical saxophone training. During that period he participated in various classical summer-workshops and took lessons with Francois Danneels; Norbert Nozy, Willy Demey..... From the age of 15, Ben's fascination for jazz grew and after finishing the classical school in excellence, he started a 4-year training at the Antwerp Jazz-Studio where his teacher was John Ruocco. After, he studied with Steve Houben at the conservatory of Brussels and followed lessons with David Liebman in the US.
Ben teaches at the conservatory and the academy of Antwerp.
History as a performing musician
Experiences as sideman with: Octurn, BRT Big Band, Brussels Jazz- Orchestra, Myriam Alter Quintet, Act Big Band, Jean Warland's Sax No End, Ivan Paduart Septet, Radoni's Tribe.
Played (or plays) also with: Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, Stacy Rowles, Bert Van den Brink, Michel Herr, Bert Joris, Dre Pallemaerts, Hein Van De Geijn, Nathalie Loriers, Chris Joris, Joe Fonda, John Betsch, Serge Lazarevitch...
or solo combined with poetry and spoken-word with: Remco Campert, Jules Deelder, Peter Holvoet Hanssen, Don Fabulist, Pjeroo Roobjee, Tom van Bauwel, Michaël Pas, Rogert de Neef, Jan Decleir...
Besides his own bands and projects you can frequently hear Ben also with: Augusto Pirroda Quartet, Christian Mendoza Group...
In 1997 he represented Belgium in the European Big Band in Slovenia.
In march 2003 he was selected by the Flemish Community to represent Belgium at Euro Jazz Festival in Mexico.
He receives the Antoon Van Dijck-award in 1999 presented by the city of Antwerp. Nominations for: Zamu-Awards 2003, and d'Jango d'Or 2006. Klara Price 2019 (Ben Sluijs Quartet).
Performed on various national and international festivals as: Jazz-Middelheim and Blue Note festival (Belgium), Knitting Factory (New York), festival de Montreal (Canada), North Sea festival (Holland), Tremplin Jazz (France)...
Introduction Erik Vermeulen
Erik Vermeulen is a renowned jazz pianist, improviser and composer who is renowned for his stylistic versatility and originality.
His artistic and pianistic level is reflected in an extensive musical production both on CD and on the Belgian and international stages. He played alongside a large number of international soloists, was and is a permanent member of many prominent Belgian jazz bands, and led his own projects, both in trio and solo, or in larger formations (such as Icarus Consort).
He is also a well-known and respected piano teacher.
In recognition of his significant career, he received the prestigious “Django d'or” award (“musician of the year”) in 2003.
Curriculum Vitae
Erik Vermeulen entered the Belgian jazz scene at age 22 with his trio consisting of Heyn Van de Geyn and Dré Pallemaerts. Soon he was asked to play with several groups, such as the Frank Vaganée Quartet, the Erwin Vann Quartet, Peter Hertmans, Kurt Van Herck, Jeroen Van Herzeele, Richard Rousselet... He plays and tours with Bert Joris, Jacques Pelzer, Steve Houben, Pierre Lognay, John Ruocco, Ali Ryerson, Phil Abraham, and the Stéphane Mercier Sextet.
He also regularly performs alongside international soloists such as Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Johnny Griffin, Joe Lovano, Steve Grossman, David Schnitter, Art Farmer, Dee Daniels, Bob Mover, Teddy Edwards, Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Michael Moor
Introduction Bruno Corbisier
Jazz double bass player
In parallel with his career as an architect, Bruno Corbisier has led an active musical life as a jazz double bass player for several decades. A self-taught musician, he started out in Brussels in the 1980s, taking part in the ‘Jazz au Vert’ summer courses organised by Les Lundis d'Hortense, and regularly attending jam sessions on the local scene.
After studying architecture, he joined the brand-new jazz section of the Brussels Royal Conservatoire in 1988, where he studied double bass with Jean-Louis Rassinfosse.
He co-founded the groups Carré Bleu, Blue Square (awarded first prize for best Brussels jazz group by the Tréteaux de Bruxelles in 1988), and the Blue Square Octet. He shared the stage with musicians such as Ivan Paduart, Pieter Lamal, Bilou Doneux, Manu Hermia, Bart Defoort, Bo Van Der Werf, Laurent Blondiau, Franck Deruytter, Joe Higham and Michael Blass. In the summer of 1988, he accompanied Jacques Pelzer on a tour of Sicily.
After a period devoted to his family and the growth of his business as an architect, he returned actively to jazz in the 2000s. He has collaborated and done sessions with artists such as Jeroen Van Herzeele, Lieven Venken, Victor Da Costa, Erik Vermeulen, Ben Sluijs, Stéphane Mercier, Jan De Haas, Eve Beuvens, Mimi Verderame and Piergiorgio Pirro, among others.
Bruno Corbisier has developed a full acoustic sound, a powerful drive and a sensitive approach deeply rooted in the jazz double bass tradition. His influences include masters such as Dave Holland and Charlie Haden, with lyricism, rhythmic rigour and collective listening.