The 10th anniversary of Brussels Jazz Festival took over Flagey from 9-18 January 2025. Along with artist in residence, Bram de Looze, the event featured a balanced curation of traditional and experimental jazz. Throughout the 9 days, performances by Amy Gadiaga, Y-OTIS, Jake Long, Flock, The Rising Moon, Dishwasher, and De Beren Gieren stood out – as found below.







Giving rising stars a chance
Brussels is no stranger to the jazz world, and is home to several labels and groups heavily engaged in the genre. This gives it a unique position to elevate new talent. The festival’s program manager, Maarten Van Rousselt speaks about its programming.
Our mission is to provide a platform for both established names and rising acts, and this year we have put together a special programme that showcases the bandwidth and diversity of jazz music.
This was reflected by the selected concerts above. With Amy Gadiaga, Jake Long, and Flock based in Britain, and The Rising Moon, Dishwasher_, and De Beren Gieren from Belgium, there was a balance between local and international musicians. It’s what makes being an artist in residence for the Brussels Jazz Festival so special. Bram de Looze was able to perform for the first time alongside established names.
Focus on de Looze
The Belgian musician has spent time in New York, where he became immersed in the city’s rich jazz scene.
When I arrived in New York, I went to concerts every night. Later I started saving my energy to work on my own material. After a year and a half I left again at the right time. The Piano e forte project offered me the chance to discover myself. First absorbing the energy of a scene and then digging into yourself is still the best way to grow. – Bruzz
In addition, his Korean partner sparked de Looze’s interest in the local traditions of Seoul. With all this international inspiration, it’s no wonder the vibe of Brussels Jazz Festival has a global feel. It was truly a moment to connect the Belgian capital with the rest of the world.
Cover photo features artist DeYeon Kim who performed with de Looze.