Gaume Jazz Festival : Auster Loo Collective

A breath of fresh air in search of unexplored horizons

Simon Leleux, percussion & composers / Lydie Thonnard, flutes & vocals / Shahab Azinmehr, setar & vocals / Bao Sissoko, kora & vocals / Aki Sato, koto & vocals / Vincent Noiret, double bass / Celestin Massot, piano / Osvaldo Hernandez, percussion & vocals

A unique alchemy between exploration and the creation of sonic bridges: poignant and dreamlike melodies, and rhythmic and energetic compositions.

The group

Auster Loo Collective breathes fresh air into the acoustic and improvised music scene in Belgium. Within the collective, the musicians challenge themselves to use their backgrounds to create a new musical language. Under the artistic direction of Simon Leleux, they set out in search of unexplored horizons. A versatile explorer, this Belgian percussionist has been developing unique musical compositions for several years, attempting to find the right connection between the sensitive trace of a personal journey and that of musical languages ​​of surprising diversity.

The result is a singular universe, the fruit of a unique alchemy between exploration and the creation of sonic bridges. Poignant and dreamlike melodies alternate with rhythmic and energetic compositions. Each musician brings their own unique touch, creating an original sound that blends the characteristic subtlety of the koto with the playful melodies of the West African kora, piano and double bass, flute and Iranian setar, percussion, and voice.

The Project

The album is a narrative in eight chapters that bears witness to the encounter of eight musicians from different corners of the world, deeply rooted in a musical culture. Drawing on these deep roots, they have created new and unique compositions from their exchanges, guided by a free spirit that embraces each individual's individuality. Poignant and dreamlike melodies alternate with rhythmic and energetic compositions on this album, which will be released in March 2024 via Igloo Records.

Auster Loo was originally a duo composed of Simon Leleux, a finger percussion specialist (doholla, bendir), and flautist Lydie Thonnard (flutes, vocals). Their shared passion for rhythm and improvisation was fueled by their encounters with musicians from all walks of life. Auster Loo Collective is a continuation of these encounters. With the release of this album, Auster Loo opens a new chapter in its life.

See them at the Gaume Jazz Festival 2025!