TROMBONE ENSEMBLE
Five trombonists and a three-member rhythm section: that sort of unique musical synergy is what Nabou Claerhout brings to life with her own Trombone Ensemble. For years, such a project had been one of the dream projects on her bucket list, and thanks to Jong Jazztalent Gent (the award of the Gent Jazz Festival) and Antwerp based cultural actor Rataplan, she already saw the creation become a reality in spring 2022.
Nabou composed the entire repertoire for this Ensemble herself, and did so with a fully open vision. While writing the music, she explored the trombone's wide possibilities: "The aim is to both indulge you with warm, soft, carrying parts and then afterwards discover the trombone's spicy and cordial character." That rhythmic playfulness, which we hear more often in Nabou's compositions with her quartet N∆BOU, also seeps subtly into this band’s sound.
Despite the ‘unusual’ line-up of five diverse jazz trombonists, each with a different background, you still get to hear a very homogeneous sound, which is full of playfulness and small details. "I tried to make room and focus for each individual. And of course there is also a starring role for the rhythm section with guitar, double bass and drums."
When Nabou started looking for the dream fellow jazz musicians for this project, she ended up with artists from her own country, Belgium, but also from far beyond the country's borders: The Netherlands, the UK and Germany. "In selecting the trombonists, I looked for specific timbres, but also for personality. It is important that there is a good balance in playing together, but also that each musician is strong enough on his or her own for the solo parts."
Wanting to push boundaries in her approach to both compositions and the trombone as an instrument, the veritable crème de la crème of the newest generation proved indispensable. "I selected a handful of European trombonists with whom I may or may not have already played, but who, above all, inspire me very deeply. They are all young people who have a lot to offer and already have significant projects to their name in their own region or country."
“The group made a joyous elaboration during a journeying escalation, often with a Spanish tinge to the compositions.” (about GENT JAZZ 2022)
Jazzwise (UK)
"A beautiful start of a fascinating day" (about GENT JAZZ 2022)
De Standaard (BE)
Nabou Claerhout (Trombone, compositions)
Jeroen Verberne (Trombone)
Rory Ingham (Trombone)
Peter Delannoye (Trombone)
Tobias Herzog (Bass trombone)
Gijs Idema (Guitar)
Cyrille Obermüller (Double bass)
Daniel Jonkers (Drums)