Piet Verbist

Jazz bassist Piet Verbist was born in Wilrijk, Belgium.

He studied solfege, and four years classical double bass at the Academies of Ekeren and Turnhout. He also took jazz lessons with John Clayton, Hein Van De Geijn, Ricardo Del Fra and studied at the Antwerp Jazz Studio where Dave Pike, Dennis Luxion and Hein Van De Geyn were his teachers.

In 1994 he finished his studies at the Jazz department of the Brussels Conservatory, and in 1995 he attended a workshop with Dave Holland.

Verbist is a highly demanded musician and played with the entire Belgian scene and many musicians touring around Belgium: Eric Legnini, Jacques Pelzer, Phil Abraham, Nathalie Loriers, Erwin Vann, Richard Rousselet, Stefaan Debevere, Michel Herr, Kris Defoort, Jack Van Poll, Erik Vermeulen, Frank Vaganee, Dre Pallemaerts, Ben Sluys, Kurt Van Herck, Jan de Haas, Luk Mishalle, Dirk Wachtelaer, Koen De Cauter, Dirk Vanderlinden, Jeff Gardner, Charles Loos, Matt Renzi, Jasper Blom, Edouard Ferlet, Phillipe Thomas, Mark Turner, Rob Van Kreefeld, OCTURN, Toots Thielemans, Paolo Fresu, Bert Joris, Nono Garcia, Chad McCullough, John Bishop, Piotr Wojtasik, etc.

He toured for 8 years with the Jef Neve trio around Europe as well as to Japan, China and Canada.

He is currently active with the JAZZ STATION BIG BAND, François Descamps’ quartet, JDH (Jan de Haas) Band, Cezarius Gadzina SAXAFABRA, Michel Paré quartet, ANCESTHREE (Ben Sluys/Hendrik Braeckman), Ben Sluijs Quartet and Trio, VANISHING PICTURES, Carmelo Muriel, The Jazz Station Big Band…

Verbist leads his own band: “ZYGOMATIK” with Herman Pardon, Bram Weyters, and different saxofonists Vincent Brijs, Fred Delplanq and/or Matt Renzi. In this project jazz is mixed with rock, soul and funk. A first CD is released on Origin Records (Seattle, USA).

Piet Verbist is teaching at the Conservatory and at the Art Highschool of Antwerp.  

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