Véronique Bizet started playing the piano and classical music at the age of seven. She played Bach at the Gunther Competition at the age of 13.After five years of studies at the Brussels Institute of Translators and Interpreters, she developed a long experience in the fields of jazz, improvisation and composition. She explored free improvisation and all the colours of the grand piano, like a searcher in a laboratory of sounds, in a very creative approach. Her music includes personal compositions as well as jazz standards or compositions by contemporary jazz musicians.

During ten years, she was a producer for the « Jazz Club » label. She produced jazz musicians who became internationally famous, such as : Joe LOVANO, Eric LEGNINI, Kris DEFOORT, Michel HERR, Bert JORIS, Michel HATZI, Stéphane GALLAND, Erwin VANN, Dré PALLEMAERTS, Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE…

As a musician, Véronique studied with Barre Phillips(US), Boyan VODENITCHAROV (Bulgaria), John TAYLOR (GB), Garrett LIST (US), Fabrizio CASSOL (B), Nathalie LORIERS (B), Billy HART (US), Kenny WHEELER (CA), Dhruba GHOSH (Indian music), Arnould MASSART (B), Steve COLEMAN (US), Pierre VAN DORMAEL (B)…

She studied at the Conservatories of Namur and Liège, at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, at the Banff Center for the Arts (Canada), and she participated in numerous jazz seminars in Belgium and abroad.

She has played with well-known musicians such as Barre PHILLIPS, a « master » in free improvisation, Chris JORIS, Eric THIELEMANS, Bert VAN DEN BRINK (known for his collaboration with Philip CATHERINE and Toots THIELEMANS), Cécile BROCHE, ERWIN VANN, Philippe REUL, Nicolas THYS, André KLENES, Pierre BERNARD, Lieven VENKEN, Nicola Lancerotti…

During four years, she was a member of the board of directors of the « Lundis d’Hortense », the association of Belgian jazz musicians.

Her passion for philosophy, psychology and spirituality, a master in sophrology, the practice of yoga, non-violent communication, mindfullness and meditation have a permanent influence on her music.

HER PAST AND PRESENT BANDS :

Duos with

  • the double-bass player Nicola LANCEROTTI
  • the double-bass player André KLENES
  • the pianist Bert VAN DEN BRINK (NL)
  • the singers : Solange LABBE, Détélina GIORGIEVA (Bulgaria)
  • the flutist Pierre BERNARD   « Bed and Breakfast » (recording in 2005)
  • the drummer Eric THIELEMANS
  • the Israeli danser Loulou OMER – Travers Festival

Solo

numerous solo concerts, for instance at the Solo Piano Festival of Prague, at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, at the Charlier Museum, at the Piano Nights of Brussels, private concerts etc…

Lecture-concerts on musical improvisation.

Trios with

  • Arne VAN DONGEN (double-bass) et Eric THIELEMANS (drums) in « mosaïc »
  • Erwin VANN (saxes), Philippe REUL (el bass) (her very first trio)

Quartet with

Barre PHILLIPS (double bass), Michel MAINIL (sax), Antoine CIRRI (drums)
Concerts at the Audi Jazz Festival and at the Festival Jazz à Liège, tour in Belgium.

Quintet « Confidential Illusions » with

Pierre BERNARD (flute), Stef VAN ES(Nl)(el guitar), Eric SURMENIAN(Fr)(double-bass), Lieven VENKEN (drums) : Festival Van Vlaanderen, ULB
(numerous recordings)

Dance and musical improvisation perfomances under direction of Barre PHILLIPS ( Brussels) and Julyan HAMILTON (Grenoble)

DISCOGRAPHY

1 « Quiet Hearts » Mogno J022 : two pianos with Bert Van den Brink
2 « Moon at Sunrise » Mogno J003 : piano-drums duo with Eric Thielemans
3  Recording of 11 instant compositions with Pierre BERNARD : flute-piano duo