Some of the most gifted jazz musicians in the world have performed at the Brussels Jazz Festival, and the 2023 edition was no exception. The famous Howard Shore, who created the score for the Lord of the Rings movies, and Alfa Mist, a rising talent in the UK jazz scene known for his emotional piano playing, were among the top performers.
Mulatu Astatke, the "father of Ethio-jazz," and Portico Quartet, whose singular fusion of jazz, electronica, and ambient music entranced the audience, were two other noteworthy performers. Tigran Hamasyan, an Armenian pianist, dazzled the audience with his virtuosity playing and genre-defying compositions, while Joshua Redman, one of the most celebrated saxophonists of his time, dazzled them with a magnificent performance.
In addition, Tony Allen, the renowned drummer who collaborated with Fela Kuti to create the Afrobeat sound, gave a lesson in rhythm and groove. The Comet Is Coming is a London-based trio that fuses jazz, funk, and psychedelic rock. Makaya McCraven, a drummer and producer from Chicago, demonstrated his original take on jazz fusion, and London-based saxophonist and composer Nubya Garcia captivated the audience with her heartfelt performance and commanding stage presence.