FRONTIER PEOPLE
JAZZLAB
Belgian guitarists Thomas Decock and Artan Buleshkaj found each other in 2024 through their shared love of Americana. The result: the intimate full-length album Plain Songs. Released in 2024 on W.E.R.F. Records, the album was warmly received by the press and radio, and was named one of Knack’s top 10 jazz releases that same year. Now a new adventure is in the works: a dynamic quintet set to create a unique sound.
The collaboration between Thomas and Artan grew out of spontaneous jams. Their focus quickly shifted from jazz standards to folk and country influences, leading to Plain Songs: twelve original compositions where Americana harmonies and jazzy improvisation came together.
Thomas and Artan now form a quintet. Double bassist Yannick Peeters and drummer Lionel Beuvens bring their versatile, tasteful rhythmic partnership to the table, while saxophonist Werend van den Bossche (Dishwasher_) adds a fresh energy with his exploration of the intersections between jazz and Appalachian folk. This deliberate mix of experienced musicians and open-minded, young talent creates an exciting cross-pollination. The new repertoire consists entirely of original compositions. The intimacy of Plain Songs remains palpable, but takes on a more powerful sound, with rock influences and a richer production. The result is a band that not only builds on the past but also seeks its own voice in the present. That quest takes shape in a release on W.E.R.F. Records and is further explored in a documentary.
guitar: Thomas Decock and Artan Buleshkaj • double bass: Yannick Peeters • drums: Lionel Beuvens • saxophone: Werend van den Bossche