He graduated from the **Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in 1990**. From an early age, he was fascinated by the freedom and creativity of improvisation. Largely self-taught as a jazz musician, he gradually developed a distinctive voice on the flute and established himself as one of Belgium's prominent jazz flutists.
His playing combines the refinement and precision of his classical training with the freedom of jazz. His music is characterized by lyricism, curiosity and a constant desire to explore new musical horizons.
## Jazz — Leader
As a bandleader, Stefan Bracaval places the flute firmly at the centre of the contemporary jazz landscape. His quartet performs original compositions in which contemporary jazz, improvisation and musical discovery come together.
Since the formation of his quartet in 2007, he has worked with leading musicians on guitar, double bass and drums. Together they create a rich and layered sound in which the flute and bass flute occupy a distinctive and central role.
**Selected highlights:**
* **2007** — *Stefan Bracaval – Insight Inside*, CD
* **2008** — VRT Klara Neve, radio broadcast
* **2021** — *Live in the Nottebohmzaal*, Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience, with support from the Flemish Community
* **2026** — *Zilt*, CD, release October 1
## Jazz — Co-Leader
Throughout his career, Stefan Bracaval has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, sharing compositions and developing musical projects in which improvisation and interaction are central.
Selected collaborations include:
* **1994** — Ernst Vranckx & Stefan Bracaval, *Aquarelle*
* **1995** — Ernst Vranckx & Stefan Bracaval, SABAM Prix Nicolas Dor
* **1996** — Ernst Vranckx & Stefan Bracaval featuring Kenny Wheeler & John Ruocco, BRT Radio 3
* **2010** — Pierre Anckaert Quintet & Brussels Chamber Orchestra
* **2014** — Pierre Anckaert & Stefan Bracaval, *Woodworks*
* **2015** — *Woodworks*, Les Lundis d'Hortense JazzTour
* **2016** — VRT Klara Live Odegand, *Woodworks*
* **2023** — Pierre Anckaert & Stefan Bracaval, *Ephémère*
* **2025** — *Ephémère*, Les Lundis d'Hortense JazzTour
## Jazz — Sideman
As a sideman, Bracaval has contributed his distinctive flute sound to numerous jazz projects, orchestras and ensembles.
His collaborations include **Charles Loos, Stephane Martini, Zoshua, Brussels Jazz Orchestra, Bert Joris, Flemish Radio Choir, Multitude, 74 Miles Away, ClassicBeatz, Bruno Vansina Orchestra, Anne Niepold, Anne Wolf, Lara Rosseel XL and Lara Rosseel Ark**, among others.
He has performed at major Belgian and international festivals and venues, including **Jazz Middelheim, Gent Jazz, Dour Festival, Elbjazz Hamburg** and deSingel Antwerp.
Selected recordings and projects include:
* **1995** — Charles Loos, *No Wall, No War*
* **2006** — Brussels Jazz Orchestra & Bert Joris, *Jeux de Vagues*
* **2009** — Brussels Jazz Orchestra & Flemish Radio Choir, *Requiem* by Lindberg
* **2013** — 74 Miles Away, *Gear Change*
* **2014** — Anne Niepold, *Musette Is Not Dead*
* **2016** — Anne Wolf, *Wolf in the Wood*
* **2020** — Lara Rosseel XL, *De Grote Vrouw*
* **2022** — Lara Rosseel Ark, Brand Festival, Nona Mechelen & Gent Jazz
* **2024** — Masal, *Siempre*
## Crossover & World Music
Curiosity about different musical traditions has always been an important part of Stefan Bracaval's artistic identity. He has worked with musicians from classical, folk, flamenco and world music, exploring the connections between traditions and improvisation.
Selected projects include:
* **1999** — Amparo Cortés, *Candela*
* **2001** — Weshm, *Ishq*, Flanders & Jordan Tour
* **2002–2003** — José Toral & Stefan Bracaval, *Sumari*, flamenco-jazz project
* **2009** — Abid Bahri, *Rihla*, with Arsis String Quartet
* **2012** — Andries Boone, *Soundtrack van de Demerbroeken*
* **2014** — Andries Boone, *Als De Nacht*
* **2017** — MANdolinMAN, *Unfolding the Roots*
* **2019** — Andries Boone, *C.O.L.O.R.S.*
* **2019** — Jan Van Outryve, Olalla Aleman & Stefan Bracaval, *Shir-hashirim*
* **2022** — Stijn Kuppens, *Seven Miracles*
* **2023** — Allen Temple, *Anam Na Mara*
* **2025** — Myrddin De Cauter, *Sonetos del Amor Oscuro – Vol. 1: El Sueño se deshizo para siempre*
* **2026** — Myrddin De Cauter, *Sonetos del Amor Oscuro – Vol. 2: Secretos de melancholia*
He has also collaborated with artists including **Chano Lobato, Moufadhel Adhoum, Jackie Oates, Robb Johnson, Fay Hield, Tim Eriksen, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Michel Godard** and **Kevin Seddiki**.
## Pop
Stefan Bracaval's versatility has also led to collaborations with leading artists from the Belgian and international pop scene.
His work includes recordings and tours with **Hooverphonic, Jo Lemaire, Miel Cools, Wigbert, Raymond van het Groenewoud, dEUS, Liliane Saint Pierre, Guido Belcanto, Barbara Dex** and **Cézanne**, among others.
Selected highlights include:
* **1997** — Hooverphonic, *A New Stereophonic Sound Spectacular*
* **1999** — Jo Lemaire, *Piaf – Une Vie*, CD & tour
* **2001** — Jo Lemaire, *Flagrants Délits*
* **2007** — Miel Cools, *Er Was Toch Nog Iets*
* **2008** — Wigbert, *Altijd Wel Iets*
* **2011** — dEUS, *Keep You Close*
* **2011–2022** — various recordings and tours with Raymond van het Groenewoud
* **2018** — Liliane Saint Pierre, *Karma*
* **2021** — Guido Belcanto, *De Kronkels in Mijn Hoofd*
* **2024** — Barbara Dex, *Dex in 't Groot*, tour
* **2025** — Cézanne, *Komt Wel Goed*
* **2026** — Raymond van het Groenewoud, *Live in Paradiso*, double CD, release November 27
He has also collaborated with artists such as **Zwangere Guy, Catherine Delasalle, Jan De Smet, Tom Pintens, Roosbeef** and **Philippe Robrecht**.
## Arranger
Stefan Bracaval also works as an arranger, combining his classical background with his experience in jazz and contemporary music.
Selected arrangements include:
* **2010** — Pierre Anckaert Quintet & Brussels Chamber Orchestra, string arrangements
* **2015** — *Barbra Streisand Songbook*, string arrangements
* **2016** — Shh., *Along A Line*
* **2016** — Flemish Radio Choir with jazz trio, arrangements
## Music Theatre, Radio, Television & Film
Bracaval's work extends beyond the concert stage into music theatre, radio productions, television and film.
### Music Theatre
* **2012** — Music Theatre Transparant & Flemish Opera, *Koningin van de Nacht*
* **2013** — LOD & Oxalys Ensemble, *De Eenzaamheid van de Egel*
### Radio & Audio Productions
* **2018** — Het Geluidshuis, *Reinaert De Vos*
* **2022** — Het Geluidshuis, *Parallel*, podcast
* **2023** — Het Geluidshuis, *De Haan Kantekleer*
* **2026** — Het Geluidshuis, *De Krimpende Reus*
### Television & Film
His credits include *Man Bijt Hond*, *Osveta*, *Charlotje*, *Alias*, *Paard van Sinterklaas*, *Waar Is Het Paard van Sinterklaas*, *Kom Niet Aan Mijn Kinderen*, *Paradise City*, *Alles Is Zoals Het Zou Moeten Zijn*, *Raymond!* and *Alles is zoals het nog steeds zou moeten zijn*.
## Education
Teaching and musical education form an important part of Stefan Bracaval's career. He teaches **Jazz Flute and Ensemble Methodology at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp** and has taught **Harmony at Studio Herman Teirlinck**.
He currently teaches in the **PopJazz Department at the Academy of Grimbergen**.
Passionate about sharing his knowledge, he has also developed pedagogical material,
