Celestial Planes

Roeland Celis has been active as a sideman in bands like NABOU and HAST for a few years. In these projects his love for the electric guitar as an instrument, especially in a pop- and rock context is evident. This influence, which Roeland has been fine tuning in the last years, we can find in his trio music as well. The dynamic spectrum is broad. Lyrical, soft passages are being alternated with cluster-like harmonies and heavy riffs. Light and dark colours exist next to each other, or are being combined. In this process every member of the band has his own recognizable voice and function. This can be a function of an accompanying, interaction or leading nature.

The choice of instruments is more or less a tradtitional one: guitar, double bass and drums. Roeland chose to work with Hendrik Vanattenhoven on bass and Matthias De Waele on drums. Both of them are active in the Belgian jazz scene, with a prolific sound and style. The trio shares a passion for the jazz tradition. Therefore it doesn’t come as a surprise that this trio started as a “standards-trio”. In the last few years, Roeland’s own compositions found their way into the repertoire. Now the trio only plays original music.

In January 2022 the trio recorded its debut album, which is also Roeland’s debut as a leader. Soulfactory Records (the record label of jazz musicians Tutu Puoane and Ewout Pierreux) released the album in April. The album features some guests: Muriel Urquidi on vocals, Frank Vaganée on alto saxophone and Lennert Baerts on tenor saxophone.