Nabou Claerhout is a rising star of the European jazz scene, and Lynn Cassiers a singer, soundscaper and innovator who’s a key figure in Brussels burgeoning contemporary jazz scene.

One of the most innovative and prolific trombone players in Europe, Nabou Claerhout first picked up the instrument at aged just nine, and has never looked back.

Nabou is now at the vanguard of new jazz in the Benelux countries, is bandleader of the eight-piece Nabou Claerhout Trombone Ensemble, the award-winning young quartet N△BOU, and series of smaller ensemble projects. After studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Claerhout graduated from Codarts Rotterdam in 2018. She is currently one of the master coaches in the classical course at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp.

One of Nabou Claerhout’s most compelling projects is her work with Brussels-based singer and soundscaper Lynn Cassiers. Their work together is an engaging combination of jazz, electronics and ambient music that reaches from the ethereal to intense, and back Alain.

Bridging an impressive range of styles, from free jazz and moodly film soundscapes to ambient pop and rock, Nabou Claerhout and Lynn Cassiers deploy trombone, keyboards, voice and special effects to paint a rich and colourful palate of sound. 

“There is real star quality in her soloing: song tone, strong line, real presence. Claerhout is definitely one to watch.” — London Jazz News (UK)

“…Cassiers is brilliant. She creates her own sonic universe in which avant-garde pop (think Laurie Anderson), traditional jazz and free improv meet, in a wonderful mixture ”- FreeJazz Blog

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Max Zaska is a guitarist, songwriter, and producer best known for his feel-good blend of modern funk, neo-soul, and indie jazz.

With his band, ZASKA, Max brings his original songs to life with a verve and enthusiasm that is infectious. His live work and recordings over the past decade have featured a dizzying array of Irish artists, ranging from Hozier, who was his first vocalist, to Wyvern Lingo, Loah, Tolu Kakay, Jess Kav, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Little Green Cars and Denise Chaila.

Bray born and raised and now living in the midlands, Max Zaska pays a welcome return to his hometown and to this year’s Bray Jazz, where he will play songs from his newly released third album of original material.

He exudes breezy optimism, plays with a smile on his face, and leads a tight big band that’s part funk, part jazz and part RnB, the overall concoction serving up rich slabs of what Max Zaska himself describes as “future soul.”

“…a refreshing sense of fun and mischief, who isn’t afraid to go deep” – The Irish Times.

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