Chris Joris Quartet

For his performance at the Predikheerlijke Zomer, Chris Joris opted this time for his quartet featuring Firas Al Alwani, Bram Weijters and Christophe Devisscher.

Firas Al Alwani began his musical training at the Damascus Conservatoire (Syria), where he took his first clarinet lessons. After moving to Belgium, he continued his studies at the Lokeren Music Academy with Anne Boeykens and Sabine Uytterhoeven. In 1998, he won first prize at the Dexia Music Competition.

He subsequently obtained a Master’s degree in classical music at the Antwerp Conservatoire, where he studied with Walter Boeykens, Raymond Dils and Ivo Lybeert. As a freelance musician, he has collaborated with numerous renowned orchestras, including the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, De Vlaamse Opera, the Flemish Radio Orchestra, Prima La Musica, the European Philharmonia and various other ensembles.

Driven by a growing fascination for jazz and improvisation, Firas obtained a Master’s degree in Jazz and Light Music under Kurt Van Herck in 2009, also at the Antwerp Conservatoire. Since then, he has been active in a wide range of jazz ensembles and continues to distinguish himself as a versatile musician. Firas can also be heard on several music recordings, film scores and albums.