VERBIST / VERBIST Quartet (V2) (LIVE IN MAASEIK 2024)

PIET VERBIST

Contrabas

Geboren te Wilrijk, Antwerpen, België. Studeerde notenleer en 4 jaar klassiek contrabas aan de academies van Ekeren en Turnhout. Piet volgde Jazz-stages met John Clayton, Hein Van De Geijn en Riccardo Del Fra en studeerde gedurende 2 jaar aan de Antwerpse Jazz-Studio met o.m. Dave Pike, Dennis Luxion en Hein Van De Geyn als leraars. In 1994 behaalde hij een eerste prijs “uitvoerend jazzmusicus” aan het conservatorium van Brussel. In 1995 nam hij deel aan een Masterclass bij Dave Holland te Parthenay in Frankrijk.

Piet speelde met tal van muzikanten zoals: Eric Legnini, Jacques Pelzer, Phil Abraham, Nathalie Loriers, Erwin Vann, Richard Rousselet, Robert Jeanne, Stéphane Galland, Stefaan Debevere, Michel Herr, Kris Defoort, Jack Van Poll, Erik Vermeulen, Frank Vaganee, Dré Pallemaerts, Ben Sluys, Kurt Van Herck, Jan de Haas, Luk Mishalle, Ronny Verbiest, Dirk Wachtelaer, Dirk Vanderlinden, Jeff Gardner, Charles Loos, Matt Renzi, Jasper Blom, Edouard Ferlet, Phillipe Thomas, Mark Turner, Rob Van Kreefeld, Octurn, Toots Thielemans, Paolo Fresu, Bert Joris, Jef Neve, Geoffrey Burton, Flavio Boltro, Jasmine Nelson, Nono Garcia, Piotr Wojtasik, John Bishop, Chad McCullouhgh, Matt Jorgensen enz. en was medestichter van het Jef Neve trio waarmee hij vele van concerten speelde over heel Europa, Japan, China en Canada.

MILAN VERBIST

At an early age, Milan was introduced to jazz music through his parents. As early as the age of five, Milan started playing the accordion. Around the age of seven, he made the switch to the instrument still closest to his heart, the piano. He studied at the MaGo Academy with classical pianists Arthur Vuye and Nicolas Callot. In 2016, he decided to study at De! Kunsthumaniora in Antwerp to continue his secondary studies, with Jazz Piano as his main instrument. Ewout Pierreux became his teacher for two years. During his time at this school, he started playing in a band and began giving concerts. After graduating from De! Kunsthumaniora, he was admitted to the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp with Erik Vermeulen as principal study teacher. During his time at the conservatory, he had the opportunity to take lessons and masterclasses and play with many prominent Belgian and international jazz musicians. In June 2022, he graduated from the conservatoire with highest distinction.

Today, Milan is a much sought-after musician in and around Antwerp and Belgium. He is bandleader of his own pianotrio and co-leader of several other bands. In 2022, Milan won second place in the '7 Virtual Jazz Club' competition with the band Cobalt Trio.

In 2023, Milan was selected to be part of 'De Twintigers 2023', a selection of ten young, promising musicians selected by public broadcaster Klara (VRT). As part of this, he recorded a video concert with the band Verbist/Baars/Lagatie in their studio 'Toots'. 

Some of his favourite pianists include McCoy Tyner, Wynton Kelly, Thelonious Monk, Herbie Hancock, Marcin Wasilewski, Cedar Walton, Keith Jarrett, among others. Milan has played with some renowned musicians: Lionel Loueke, Chris Potter, John Ruocco, Bert Joris, Jakob Bro, John Bishop...

LIONEL BEUVENS

Line-up Verbist & Verbist (of V2) 

Nero Vergaert: tenor sax 

Milan Verbist: piano 

Piet Verbist: contrabas 

Lionel Beuvens: drums