Brussels Groove Collective

Jazz vocal group from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. The polyphonic choir of the Conservatory's jazz class was initially composed of sopranos and altos. External reinforcements were brought in to complete the tenors and basses, and thus the Brussels Groove Collective (BGC) took flight. 

Directed by Pete CHURCHILL, head of the Conservatoire's jazz singing class and professor of jazz composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London, the choir now consists of students from the singing class, former Conservatoire students, external reinforcements, and musicians who have joined the group.

For several years now, the Brussels Groove Collective has been in artistic residence at the Music Village and is self-managed.

Its repertoire is rich in jazz, gospel and groove standards by Paul Simon, Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, James Taylor, Pete Churchill and others.

Over the course of 10 seasons, the BGC has performed at the Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend, in the main hall of the Régence, at Holy Trinity Church, the Cercle des Voyageurs, the Archiduc, the Open Music Jazz Club in Comines, the Point Culture ULB, the Music Village, and more.

The BGC contributes to the Conservatoire's reputation in the city while enabling young soloists to make a name for themselves. Among the solo singers accompanied by the choir are Julian McLACHLAN, Maïlys CRABBÉ, Mona MIODEZKY, Stéphanie BERTRAND, Tommaso ZUFFA,...

The unique feature of BGC is that it operates exclusively by ear : no sheet music! (Only lyrics for those who absolutely need them.) By leaving the visual neurons aside, this practice opens up the other senses, auditory and kinesthetic, which are key to groove. As Pete Churchill likes to say: ‘Your body is your metronome!’ The intention is to share the joyful effects of this musical approach with the audience.

The choristers: Pete Churchill (conductor, pianist and soloist); Anne Beaupin, Astrid Galliot, Ayla Kocer, Barnabé Deliens, Barbara Benzaquen, Cécile Broché, Ceylan Taci, Clara Pakleung, Clara Levy, Clémence Henry, Daniel Barbenel, Ève-Coralie Devisscher, Élisabeth Persena, Ségolène Eyben, Greg Auclerc, Joëlle Joule, Julian McLaughlin, Jurriaan Praakke, Lilycogels, Lisa Jonet, Louise Cliche, Maena Dunkmann, Anne Mannaert, Marie Demuijlder, Matthieu Morvan Michael Robberechts, Mona Miodezky, Myriam Zonderland, Philippe Navarre, Odette Peinado, Olga Bagnoli, Pierre Échard, Pilar Huerta Gomez, Simon Dalferth, Sabine Skariger, Stéphanie van Rossum, Tommaso Zuffa, Valérie Boucquey, Véronique Philips, Vinciane Cappelle, Viviane Horta, Zélie Vansteirteghem, Alexis Harcq, Stéphanie Bertrand, Catherine Maufroy, Mia Mattenklott, Alexandre Wajnberg.