Nicolas Kummert
- Instruments : Tenor saxophone, Composer, Electronics
- Date of birth : 12/03/1979 - Namur
MELODY. HE'S NOT AFRAID TO EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE
GREATEST QUALITY AND CHALLENGE FOR ANY MUSICIAN". LIONEL LOUEKE
THERE IS OFTEN A WONDERFUL GENTLENESS TO NICOLAS KUMMERT’S PLAYING
THAT PERFECTLY SUITS THE MUSIC… AND HE SHOWS A GREAT MUSICAL
PERSONALITY”. BRAD MEHLDAU
Saxophonist, electronic artist, singer, composer, researcher, educator… Nicolas Kummert has been
described as a “poet of the saxophone”, showing “patience,” “wonderful gentleness,” and a
willingness to “explore the unknown”. These comments reflect the values central to his musical
approach—openness, receptivity, and a deep curiosity.
He played and recorded with his own projects featuring Lionel Loueke, Jeff Ballard, DRIFTER,
Nicolas Kummert Voices, SYM and Respire! But also with Pierre van Dormael, Jef Neve, Diederik
Wissels & Ana Rocha, Slowly Rolling Camera, Yves Peeters Group, GrooveTHing, Qu4tre, Alexi
Tuomarila Quartet, Karl Jannuska group, Matthieu Marthouret, Viktor Lazlo, Cecilia Sanchietti ‘La
Terza Via’… His latest release is 'la diversité' on British label Edition Records, a variable
geometry group featuring jazz legend Lionel Loueke.
Recently awarded a second Master Degree in composition for film and theatre, Nicolas conducted a
research on hybrid sounds and their expressive possibilities where he developed his own
modulation process which allows him to manipulate an instrument’s sound without betraying the
sonic specificities and the player’s techniques and expressive choices. It is this modulation setup
that he explores in his research project at the Conservatory of Antwerp. During 2 years, he is
experimenting with improvising musicians and manipulates their sounds in real time, observing the
interaction between the two artists who share control of the sonic material they create together. The
second year focuses on interaction with dance in a hybrid setup where the dancer will be given the
control of the electronic modulation of the saxophone’s sound.
He works as a musician and as a composer for films and dance performances, focusing on hybrid
sounds and their expressive possibilities.
He recently composed and played the music of ‘The shape of things to come’ (Pamela Breda) and
‘A bas le soleil’ (Lucien Lepoutre - Kwassa films). He developed his own modulation schemes
which he applies to his saxophone (see Saxleton Live) and to the piano (see prepared piano) among
other instruments. This hybrid world is particularly suited to multidisciplinary performances.
He explores interaction with poetry in collaboration with poet Liesbeth D’Hoker (want straks
komen de wolven - 2025) after integrating his own poetry and that of Jacques Prévert on his own
album ‘ONE’ (2010) and collaborating with French poet Eric Sarner (2009).
Nicolas is also active in the contemporary dance scene (‘Au pied du mur du temps’ by Fatou Traoré
- Charleroi Danse) the African music scene (he played with singers like Patrick Ruffino, or
occasionally Manu Di Bango, Keziah Jones), on the DJ scene with hip hop DJs (Grazzhoppa DJ
bigband,…) and house DJs (studio recordings and shows in famous clubs like the Ministry of
Sound in London, Teatro Kapital in Madrid…). He was also part of Viktor Lazlo and Eric-
Emmanuel Schmitt’s project “My name is Billie Holiday”, a tribute to Lady Day that played above
200 shows in France and other countries.
Nicolas recorded over 70 albums as a leader or a sideman and played around 2000 concerts in more
than 50 countries worldwide.
