Erwin Vann

After eight years of studying classical music, Belgian saxophonist Erwin Vann decided to devote himself entirely to jazz.

He followed classes in 1988 and 1991 at the Banff Centre for the Arts (Canada) with Steve Coleman, Dave Holland, Muhal Richard Abrams, Kenny Wheeler, Julian Priester, … and masterclasses with David Liebman and Joe Lovano.

Since 1985, Erwin Vann worked regularly for the Belgian Radio and Television (VRT/RTBF) as a soloist, composer, studio musician and member of the Jazz Orchestra.

In the late 80’s, he became a member of Jeanfrançois Prins’ quintet, along with Nathalie Loriers, and veteran rhythm section masters Jean-Louis Baudoin and Félix Simtaine. They release the CD “New York Stories” in 1991 on GAM Records. Toots Thielemans often joined them onstage.

In 1990, Erwin Vann formed his own trio with Michel Hatzigeorgiou and Dré Pallemarts.  (CDs “Some Sounds” and “Eleven”). Since 1996, the trio invites guitarists such as Pete McCann, Marc Ducret, Jacques Pirotton or pianists Christoph Erbstösser, and later Jozef Dumoulin (the band is then re-named “Let’s Call Ed”).

In 1989, he was elected “Best Soloist” at the Brussels Jazz Rallye. In 1991, he was awarded the “Sax of the Best Soloist of the Year” (critics nomination), and in  1995, the “SPES Prize” for ”Worlds”, his project for large ensemble featuring Kenny Wheeler and Norma Winstone  (CD Worlds released in 1999). In December 1998, Erwin Vann was voted “Best Belgian Tenor Saxophonist of the Year” (VRT/RTBF Jazz Referendum, Listeners Choice).

Vann performed with a.o.  Norma Winstone, Kenny Wheeler, joe Lovano, Wayne Shorter, Paolo Fresu, Éric Legnini, Bruno Castellucci, Michel Benita, Michel Herr, Lindsey HornerRita Marcotulli, Hein van de GeynNugyen Lé, Bobby Previte, …

Erwin VANN also recently presented solo concerts, combining the sax with live electronics and various effects, under the name “KO-YA”.

Erwin is also known as a composer, a.o. for his own projects, but his compositions were also recorded by several other jazz groups, and even contemporary classical piano music, hiphop, soul, pop, and a chamber orchestra with a rock band. He also wrote for film and for dance companies.

Erwin VANN was a member of the faculty at the Royal Conservatories of Brussels and Ghent for a period of time. He now teaches saxophone and harmony at the Conservatories of Luxemburg and Antwerp and is also regularly asked to teach at jazz seminars in Belgium and abroad.

Parallelly to his life as a musician, Erwin Vann has developed a succesful career as a certified yoga teacher, promoting health and wellness through proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking/meditation.

artist online