BELGIUM Jazz Clubs

Jazz has a rich history in Belgium and has been a popular genre of music in the country since the early 20th century. During the 1920s, Brussels became a hub for jazz musicians, with many American jazz musicians such as Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong performing in the city. One of the most important figures in Belgian jazz history is guitarist Django Reinhardt, who was born in Belgium in 1910. Reinhardt is known for his innovative style of guitar playing, which combined elements of jazz, swing, and Gypsy music. In the post-World War II era, Belgian jazz continued to evolve and develop its own unique sound. The country became home to a number of talented jazz musicians, including Toots Thielemans, who was known for his harmonica playing, and saxophonist Bobby Jaspar. Today, there are numerous jazz clubs and festivals throughout Belgium, including the Brussels Jazz Weekend, the Ghent Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Middelheim Festival in Antwerp. These events showcase both local and international jazz musicians, and attract jazz fans from all over the world.

 

ANTWERP

Cafe Hopper. Leopold de Waelplaats 2. Tel: 03-248.49.33 [Monday, Wednesday, Sunday. Belgium names and sessions featuring students from the local jazz music academy]

USA Jazzclub Antwerp. Theater Aan de Stroom, Blanceflourlaan 181/B 2050 Antwerp. Tel: 0032 475 61 62 00  [contact: Eric De Vos. Concerts are taking place in  Every first Wednesday of the month (except july/august), at 8.30 pm.]

BRUGES

De Werf. Werfstraat, 108. Tel: + 32 50 330529. [contact: Rik Bevernage. Belgian and International names and groups]

BRUSSELS

L'Archiduc. rue Antoine Dansaert, 6. Tel: +3225120652. [contact: Hennart Jean-Louis. Regular concerts on Saturday - Le Jazz Après Shopping - & Sunday afternoons, with occasional presentaions on other days. Great ambience. Top flight musicians. A well preserved thirties-decor bar]

Jazz Station. Chaussée de Louvain, 193a-195 - 1210 Bruxelles Tel: 02 219 58 51. [New venue in what was a disused railway station. Here is hoping that it might just compensate for the totally unnecessary closure of Le Travers!]

Sounds Jazz Club. rue de la Tulipe, 28 1050 Brussels. Tel: + 32 2 512 92 50 ((after 18h) Fax: + 32 2 503 23 82 [You are not in Chicago or New Orleans, you are in Ixelles. But if you are under the impression of being somewhere else, that’s understandable : the atmosphere, the fragrance, the warmth and the music have the color of true, authentic jazz.The « Sounds », run since 1986 by Sergio Duvalloni and Rosy Merlini, has had the best Belgian and international jazzmen on stage, and the numerous memorable concerts make it a ‘must’ for all jazz fans and lovers of good music in general.And there is not only the music, but also the style, the cocktails (Sergio !), the delicious Italian dishes (Rosy !!) and the quality of an authentic Brussels venue.]

 The Music Village.  Rue des Pierres 50. 1000 Brussels. Tel: 0032 (0)2 513 13 45 Fax: 0032 (0) 513 50 52 [Situated near the historic Grand-Place. A new and classy venue presenting well known local, national, and international names. Wendnesday - Saturday evenings 7.00pm - 1.00am Yearly membership fee: 350 FB Entrance 300 - 400 FB. Meals are avaliable. Good range of Belgian beers.]

Zwanzeur. Av. Jean Volders 11. Tel: 0476 34 73 28 [contact: Yvan Rousseau. Le Zwanzeur is a pleasant cultural place for Jazz, Soul & funk music. It is located near the south station (Gare du Midi) international train station and "Porte de Hal" underground station. The bar opens from Thursday to Saturday @ 7 pm. Concerts are scheduled on Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 pm.]

DENDERMONDE

Honky Tonk Jazzclub. Leopold II laan Bastion V. Smisstraat 41 [contact: Herman Costers. Open since 1965, specialising in New Orleans and Blues. At least two concerts each month on Saturday nights starting at 21.00. Several other Jazz events through the year]

GEMBLOUX

JAZZ9. rue de l'Usine, 8. Tel: 081730021. [contact: Phil Dethy]

GENT

Afkikker. St.-Kwintensberg 52. Tel: 09/233.61.57 [contact: Rita De Vuyst]

Damberd. Korenmarkt 19. Tel: ++32 (0)9 329 53 37 Fax: ++32 (0)9 329 53 37 [contact: Paul Feyaerts - Ann Kruger]

Lazy River Jazz Club. Stadhuissteeg 5. Tel: 09/225.18.58. [contact: Jonckx Noël. The Lazy River Jazz Club is a jazzclub to promote the New Orleans music and was founded in 1966]

 HEIST OP DEN BERG

Hnita Jazz Club. 106 Lostraat. Tel: 015-24 19 43 [Features national and international names and bands. Telephone for info]

HASSELT

Kunstencentrum Belgie. Burgemeester Bollenstraat 54-56+ Tel: 011/22 41 61 Fax:011/23 26 59 [Open Friday and Saturday from 19h00-02h00 avant jazz/improvisation/experimental. also film/theater/dance & workshops]

KASTERLEE

Jazz Club "Houtumstreet". Houtum 58. Tel: 014 81 38 60 [contact: vzw. The Jazz Club "Houtumstreet" is probably one of the oldest clubs in the regio. The club offers a wide variety of live jazz on the first monday of each month. Entrance is 8 Euro and for students 4 Euro.]

LENDELEDE

GL Jazzclub. Alfons Dassonvillelaan 3. Tel: 051/313950 [contact: Hendrik Wanzeele. GL Jazzclub.old style Jazzclub.founded in 1979]
 

LOKEREN

Lokerse Jazzklub. Gasstraat 27. Lokeren. Tel: +32494311798. [contact: Guido Ros. Guido Ros. All styles - Only open during concerts - At least one or two concerts each month on Saturday nights starting at 21.00.]

LEUVEN

At the Bebop.. Tiensestraat 82, Leuven. Brabant 3000. Tel: 016/206106 Fax: 016/205860 [contact: Heelen Jaak. Live concerts every Monday. National & International groups and faces]
 

LIEGE

Anatole Jazz Club. rue du Stalon, 9. Tel: 04-221.21.09

Jacques Pelzer Jazz Club. Bld. Ernest Solvay 493. Tel: +324.227.12.55 [Contact: Marc Bienfait. One does not enter here as a mausoleum but a place reserved for the music preferred of old master of the house, Jacques Pelzer deceased in 1994: jazz. For a long time, it was a well-known pharmacist of Thier in Liege and in his other life of musician internationally known and recognized, Jacques Pelzer wore an eternal hat as if he were the foster brother of another famous jazzman inhabitant of Liège like Bobby Jaspar, he was doubtless a blood-brother of of Chet Baker, the famous American trumpet player who he worked with on many occasions.]

LA LOUVIERE

Centre Culturel Place Mansart 17/18. Tel: ++32 64 215121 Fax = ++ 32 64 215125 [contact: Michel Mainil. Several concerts a year in club and and theatre. All styles]

MAASEIK

Sjruur. Kleine Kerkstraat 19. Tel: 003289365050 Fax: 003289365059. [Contact: Willy Borkelmans. Music: Jazz. Opening hours: every 3rd Sunday of the month.]

MECHELEN

De Jazzzolder Vzw. De Langhestraat 32, 2800 Mechelen.. Tel: 0032497029361 Fax: 003215336730 [contact: Lejo Vanhaelen. Private club. Every 2nd and 4th Friday live music]

MONS

Quartier Latin 27, place du Marché-aux-Herbes à B-7000 Mons. Tel: 065/318741

RUISELEDE

Banana Peel Jazz and Blues. Akkerweg 1. Tel: + 32 051/725605 [contact: Franky Van de Ginste. Mainly blues, sometimes jazz. open when concert (mondays, see site) concert: doors at 19.00, concert at 20.15 untill 23.00]
 

WILLEBROEK

Het veerhuis. Oostvaartdijk 2, klein willebroek. Tel: 03 888 3594 [New Orleans jazz band. Open every first and third Saturday of the month (exept July and August) from 21.00 till 00.15 or ....]

ZOTTEGEM

De Blauwe Wolk. Grotstraat 22. Tel: 0475 63 24 94 Fax: 09 36 14 15 [contact: Filip Morre. A big variety of live jazz and blues music.Situated between Ghent and Brussels]