Chris Mentens

Instruments : Double bass, Composer
Date of birth : 11/09/1957 - Heusden

Chris MENTENS studied musicology at the Catholic University of Louvain, where he graduated suma cum laude. He is a principally a self-taught musician, though he attended bass clinics with Hein VAN DE GEYN, Riccardo DEL FRA and John CLAYTON.

Chris has been associated for many years with percussionist Chris JORIS and his bands, such as BIHOGO and the Chris JORIS Experience, with whom he appeared in many festivals and recorded the live CD The Chris JORIS Experience "Live" (W.E.R.F. 012). He also worked with TRANSFUSIE and . He has occasionally accompanied numerous solo artists from Mal WALDRON, Deborah BROWN, Gordon BRISKER, Al DE FINO and Slide HAMPTON to Gene CONNORS, Silvia DROSTE and Judy NIEMACK.

Chris played with Los Angeles-based vibraphone player Eldad TARMU, with whom he toured in Europe in late 2001 and in 2002. On this tour they recorded a live-CD in Berlin. (coming out soon).

Chris teaches Jazz History at the Music Conservatories of Antwerp and Brussels