As Sideman

Quiet Dreams – Ramon van Merkenstein Trio

14th October 2021 by Gabriele di Franco

This is the first album of the Ramon van Merkenstein Trio, with Lieven Venken on drums and Gabriele di Franco on guitar. Ramon is a much sought-after bassist and he teaches at various music academies in and around Brussels. This album, entitled ‘Quiet Dreams’, tells the story of the transformation Ramon went through over the past 10 years: about his impressions, his influences and inspiration, and his personal and professional milestones.

Dit is het eerste album van het Ramon van Merkenstein Trio, met Lieven Venken op drums en Gabriele di Franco op gitaar. Ramon is een veelgevraagd bassist en hij geeft les aan verschillende muziekacademies in en rond Brussel. Het album, dat de titel ‘Quiet Dreams’ meekreeg, vertelt het verhaal van de transformatie die Ramon de afgelopen 10 jaar doormaakte: over zijn indrukken, over zijn invloeden en inspiratie en over zijn persoonlijke en professionele mijlpalen.

Voici le premier album de Ramon Van Merkenstein Trio, avec Lieven Venken à la batterie et Gabriele di Franco à la guitare. Ramon est un bassiste très demandé et enseigne dans diverses
Académies de musique à Bruxelles et dans les environs. Intitulé « Quiet Dreams », l’album raconte l’histoire de la transformation de Ramon au cours des dix dernières années : ses impressions, ses influences et inspirations et ses étapes personnelles et professionnelles.

Ramon von Merkenstein – double bass
Gabriele di Franco – guitar and effects
Lieven Venkren – drums

All compositions by R.F. van Merkenstein
© homerecords.be 2021
℗ Ramon van Merkenstein
Cat: 4446243 Label Code: 413309
Artwork and design by Sofie Nagels
Cover photo by Jan Willekens

Recorded at the studio of Province de Liège on the 24th and 25th of February 2020.
Recording, Mix and Master by Jean-François Hustin.

Dreamin’ – Q-some Big Band

11th May 2020 by admin

Dreamin’ – Q-some Big Band

When you let your thoughts run free, you get a broad view on what is possible with a big band. Original compositions germinate, and then a new generation of composers emerges who, together with the top of the latest generation of Belgian jazz musicians, shine their light on the future of big band music, in its absolute essence, as if in a common dream.

Dreamin’ is the debut album of Q-Some Big Band with original works from their own ranks. Manten Van Gils, Gabriele di Franco, Robbe Willems and Pierre-Antoine Savoyat; the Q-Some Composer Hub.

Q-Some Big Band is a contemporary jazz orchestra made up of young, talented musicians. Through the Q-Some Composer Hub they explore the richness of sound and colour that a modern big band has to offer. With their invariably refreshing arrangements, innovative programs and unexpected musical collaborations, this orchestra goes beyond the limits, in which the passion for the profession, the warmth within the band and especially bigger dreams are clearly audible.

Prototype
Square Planet
Raw – part I
Raw – part II
Blues for F
Playful
A Girl named Eddie
Flugled
For Klaus
Powerful People
Soft Viking

Artistic direction: Manten Van Gils, Lode Mertens

Compositions: Gabriele di Franco (5), Pierre-Antoine Savoyat (9), Manten Van Gils (2-3-4- 6-7-8-10-11), Robbe Willems (1)

Saxes: Dieter Vaganée, Arthur Hirtz, Marjan Van Rompay, Tobias Volckaert, Tom Cautaerts
Trombones: Manten Van Gils, Kristof Decoster, Roel Vanacker, Els Verbruggen Trumpets: Ruben Vanacker, Jany Van Lul, Thadeus Jolie, Marthe Van Droogenbroeck, Pierre-Antoine Savoyat

Rhythm section: Gabriele di Franco, Robbe Willems, Wim Ramon, Brecht Adriaenssens Vocals on (5): Dunja Mees

Recording engineer: Koen Herman
Mixing: Koen Heirman, Manten Van Gils
Mastering: Frederik Dejongh
Recorded September 2019 @ DAFT, mixed @ Record Office, mastered @ Jerboa Mastering
Artwork: Ward Van Rompay, Cover design: Manten Van Gils
© Caramel Records 2020
www.qsomebigband.com

Quiet Dreams – Ramon van Merkenstein Trio

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Credits

Dreamin’ – Q-some Big Band

Dreamin’ – Q-some Big Band