HU!

HU! is a Brussels jazz sextet consisting of Karen van Schaik (baritone, alto and sopranino saxophone, compositions), Lúcia Pires (flute), Pierre-Antoine Savoy (trumpet), Bruno Grollet (tenor saxophone), Fil Caporali (double bass) and Nico Chkifi (drums).

HU! brings surprising inventive compositions that cover the entire emotional range of the 
"HU!mankind". From aggressive grooves to dreamy melodies with a cinematic quality, from wild free improvisation to playful themes in which toys play a role, from bluesy passages to Messiaen modes. 
Style wise one can recognise influences of Charles Mingus, John Zorn, Carla Bley, Matana Roberts, Henry Threadgill, Ennio Morricone and the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

In doing so, HU! playfully questions a current underlying theme. Namely why in 2025 only 5% of professional jazz instrumentalists are women. HU! also examines in more detail the (sometimes limiting) role of gender stereotypes (for men, women and people who identify differently). 
Which mechanisms in our society maintain this situation, what can we do about it? 
HU! plays with the traditional roles of musical instruments, transforms relatable situations from daily life into music and brings to the table fragile subjects with musical pieces like “Jeans with Tiny Pockets and Toothpaste for Men”, “Circlusion”, “High Pitched Voices Often Get Interrupted” and “Ballad For The Frozen Eggs.”

By using the power of music and humour, HU! is a friendly invitation to question our unconscious gender biases. And those who have no interest in gender issues can simply enjoy the music!

In 2021 Karen got the "carte blanche" of Brussels music production house MetX, which was the start of the creation of her project HU!. In 2024 HU! was selected for the Brussels Jazz Alert. After their concert for the Brussels Jazz Weekend on the outdoor stage on place Cathérine in Brussels, Mathieu Jouan of Citizen Jazz magazine wrote the following:

“…HU! by saxophonist Karen van Schaik. HU! is a project that carries meaning, a feminist and political message. Van Schaik has things to say and she surrounds herself with excellent musicians to do so. Among them is trumpeter Pierre-Antoine Savoyat. This very expressive music, written with a great sense of storytelling, caused a sensation (and pushed aside the clouds).”

Here is the article:

https://www.citizenjazz.com/BruJazzWknd-l-emergence-festive.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawFT8zVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHVAZnAX56wFeX64WaCfMHfpPdDKEChmW4wjBxDA9RKr87ioR-zjsWMKoPg_aem_PsEbr1xy4eOSJhZgUaAZRw

Underlying research


Karen draws inspiration from her own experiences as a female jazz musician and parallel to writing music for HU! she is doing research about female jazz musicians in history (see her essay “Women Instrumentalists in Jazz” ) and gender stereotypes in general. She interviewed 28 people of different ages, backgrounds, nationalities and gender identities and read many books and articles about gender, psychology, gender in music, sexism and women in jazz. This resulted in het presentation about “12 mechanisms that still form obstacles for women to pursue a career in music”. 

Karen's goal with this presentation is to create more awareness and understanding, to help musicians who suffer from these mechanisms to recognise them and others to be able to speak up when these mechanisms take place. The presentation leads to a very inclusive open discussion about possible solutions. With reaching especially musicians, programmers, music educators and parents of future musicians, Karen hopes to be part of the change that she would love to see on jazz stages. It has been scientifically proven that mixed teams function the best and that people feel happier, so we all have something to win when the jazz scene and music becomes more inclusive!

Feel free to contact Karen about this presentation! It takes about 1h15 and gives a lot of insights to programmers, (female) musicians, (parents of) future musicians, music teachers and anyone else interested in the subject.