Jean Paul Estiévenart (Trumpet)

Find me on: http://jeanpaulestievenart.com

Jean-Paul Estiévenart (1985) started playing the trumpet in the fanfare of his hometown village, in the Belgian countryside, following his grandfather's path. He then kept on studying this complex instrument at the Academy of Saint-Ghislain for ten years where he got to know jazz music and instantly became passionate about it.
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He moved to Brussels in 2004 and quickly became a key figure of Belgian jazz. He started playing around at a frantic pace that has never decreased…
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In 2013, he launched a new musical adventure by creating his own trio with Sam Gerstmans on double bass and Antoine Pierre on drums. Their debut album, "Wanted" (W.E.R.F. Records, 2013), has set a singular sound in the Belgian jazz landscape and has marked the beginning of a beautiful story.
The trio is deeply impregnated by jazz tradition but constantly plays with its codes and extends its borders, while maintaining the elegance and authenticity of its heritage.
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Their second album, "Behind The Darkness" (Igloo Records, 2016), is an autobiographical opus that refers to the trumpeter's childhood in coal dumps (you mean ‘mines’?). It also represents the moments of darkness encountered during his existence. The title of the album however announces a positive outcome, while Jean-Paul has just turned 30 years old.
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Within a 10-year career, Jean-Paul Estiévenart had the opportunity to meet & play with several big names in the international jazz scene (Enrico Pieranuzzi, Nathalie Loriers, Avishai Cohen - trumpet, Logan Richardson, Dré Pallemaerts, Joe Lovano, Noel Gallagher, the Brussels jazz orchestra, Perico Sambeat, Maria Schneider, ...). He has been playing in a dozen Belgian bands as sideman (Antoine Pierre Urbex, Lorenzo Di Maio quintet, LG Jazz Collective, Manolo Cabras 4tet, Manu Hermia Freetet, Big Band Jazz Station, Mik Maak and many others).
This makes him the most demanded trumpet player in the country, with more than 40 albums to his credit.
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In September 2018, Jean-Paul Estiévenart launched his new quintet with Roman Pilon (guitar), Nicola Andrioli (piano), Nicolas Thys (double bass) and Antoine Pierre (drums). This is an opportunity for the trumpet player to be in charge of a project with 2 harmonic instruments, unlike his trio which has none. The repertoire offers lyrical and energetic music and leaves plenty of room for the improvisation of each performer.
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His career as a leader has probably only just begun...