Toine Thys Trio

After 10 years of concerts and two albums with organist Arno Krijger, Brussels saxophonist Toine Thys presents ‘The Optimist’ in February 2019, his trio’s third album. Recorded in New York and bringing together big names in jazz and African music such as Franco-Senegalese guitarist Hervé Samb or Sam Yael on the Hammond organ. We also find Canadian drummer Karl Jannuska. The trio revolves around the Hammond organ and the music of Toine Thys whose compositions, rooted in groove, are influenced by soul or African music. Sometimes, the energetic pieces give way to mystery and sweetness, brought by Toine’s bass clarinet. His compositions evoke both stays in West Africa (Lullaby of Gounghin or The Optimist), a late Carnival evening in Binche (Masks and Feathers), the loss of his Ukrainian friend and singer Wassyl Slipak (Cosmic Wassyl), or an energetic dedication to New York (“Tête Brulée”).