‘Félix Zurstrassen: Nova’

After several years spent as sideman on projects competing in eclecticism, the Belgian bassist Félix Zurstrassen is emerging in a leading role that suits him perfectly. Under the name NOVA, this winner of the Sabam Jazz Award 2017 brings together a prestigious quintet which is international to say the least: there’s Brazil with the fascinating guitarist Nelson Veras, the United Kingdom with the pianist Kit Downes, signed to ECM and recipient of the BBC Jazz Award, the Netherlands with the saxophonist Ben van Gelder, who’s a regular of the New York scene, and finally, Belgium with drumming prodigy Antoine Pierre, his long-time sidekick. These five musicians will focus on a sophisticated and melodious original repertoire, at the crossroads between modern and contemporary jazz.