Toine Thys, Jazz Saxophone (a biography)

Toine Thys started classical clarinet at the age of ten, and switched to jazz saxophone playing later on. He graduated his 6 years studies with the title of ‘Master of Music’ in 2002 in the Netherlands, in John Ruocco and Ferdinand Povel’s classes. On tenor and alt saxes, he’s a energetic and intense player, with a warm, full tone, and a versatile approach to both standards and compositions. Toine is very concerned with composition, and writes with consistency for several projects.
He plays currently with R5 (Renaud Person), Moiano, Erik Vermeulen, Victor Da Costa, Sal La Rocca, Nic Thys, also Adamo, etc..

His main project, TAKE THE DUCK, is a jazz quartet led together with austrian Daniel Nösig, german drummer Thorsten Grau, and Slovenian bassist Robert Jukic (http://www.taketheduck.com).
Their third CD will be recorded live in October ’05 in Carinthia, Austria, with CSM label (http://www.centralstationmusic.com).

In the group RACKHAM (http://www.rackham.biz ), he plays his music, together with unexpected covers, with Laurent Blondiau or Bart Maris (tpt), Teun Verbruggen (ds), Francois Verrue (bs) and Benjamin Clément (g). This an Hybrid Music, in the Rock-Pop-Jazz-Free-Worldish Galaxy, combining high energy, joyful playing and refined harmonies.

He followed workshops with a.o. Joe Lovano, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, etc…

He is also performing with his own trio. He recently won a scholarship from the dutch foundation Prins Bernhardt, and spent months in New York, studying and playing with Chris Cheek, Bill Mc Henri and Rick Margitza. He toured in many countries, including South and North-America, Turkey, France, Tchequia, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, Sapin, Italy, etc...

Concerts Rackham in 2006


Contacts

Toine Thys
Saxophones & tubes
17 rue des Paquerettes, 1030 Brussels - Belgium
+32 (0) 479 73 95 71 (cell), +32 (0) 22 80 61 51 (home)
Email: toine@taketheduck.com