Félix Simtaine

He discovered music during his childhood. He began by trying his hand at the trombone, a discipline that he quickly abandoned for the drums. Self-taught, he began an amateur career in the 1950s with his companions of the time (René Thomas, J. R. Monterose, Léo Fléchet, Robert Jeanne, Jean Lerusse and Jacques Pelzer), with whom he visited many festivals in Belgium.

In the late 1960s, under the guidance of American drummer Stu Martin, he embarked on a professional career. He first tried rock and free rock but returned to his lifelong passion: jazz. During the 1970s, he was part of many groups until the creation of Act 12 (first name of Act Big Band) in 1978, his own big band. Success is with go and the group gives many concerts, records five albums between 1980 and 1996, and plays with renowned musicians such as Toots Thielemans, Joe Lovano, John Ruocco, Guy Cabay, Jon Eardley and Joe Lee Wilson .

In 1982, he participated in the creation of a trio with John Ruocco and Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, simply called The Trio. Still active today, the trio were one of the most innovative groups of the 1980s and participated in many festivals. The Trio will take 25 years to release their first album, A Ghost of a Chance (2007).

In 1993, he started the group East and West Connection following several tours in Eastern Europe and the recording of a live CD in Krakow as part of the International Jazz Festival.

In 1996, his CD Intensive Act is a compilation of all his musical inclinations. He appears there solo, in trio and quartet with Éric Legnini and Phillipe Aerts, in quintet with Gary Smulyan and naturally, with Act Big Band.

In 1998, Act Big Band celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Liège festival. The same year, the group was voted “best Belgian big band” by both RTBF / VRT listeners and French-speaking critics.

Throughout his career, he collaborated with many artists and found some around an album, others around a series of concerts and musical projects2.

Discography

As A Leader

2012 : Act Big Band & Guests - Extremes (Igloo)
2007 : Ruocco / Simtaine / Rassinfosse Trio - A Ghost of a Chance (AZ Productions)
2001 : 10 Ans de Jazz à Liège : 1991-2000 (Liège Maison du Jazz)
1996 : Félix Simtaine - Intensive Act (Igloo)
1992 : Brussels Jazz Promenade - Brussels Jazz Promenade (Live Music)
1989 : Artistes de Wallonie et Bruxelles - Le Jazz perd le Nord (WBM)
1987 : Act Big Band & Guests – Extremes (Igloo)

As A Sideman

1975 : Michel Herr - Perspective / Solis Lacus (B. Sharp)
1977 : Michel Herr Trio - Ouverture Eclair (Oryx)
1991 : Jeanfrançois Prins Quintet - N.Y. Stories (Gam)
1991 : René Thomas - Guitar Genius (AMC)
1995 : Eric Legnini - Rhythm sphere (Igloo)
1995 : Richard Rousselet - No, Maybe...! (B. Sharp)
1996 : Lew Tabackin / Félix Simtaine / Philippe Aerts - L'Archiduc - Round About Five (Igloo)
1996 : Octurn - Chromatic History (W.E.R.F.)
1997 : Fabien Degryse - Hommage à René Thomas (Igloo)
1999 : Paolo Radoni Quartet Live - Coast To Coast (Lyrae Records)
2002 : Bert Joris Quartet – Live (W.E.R.F.)
2003 : Robert Jeanne Quartet - Blue Landscapes (Igloo)
2011 : Eric Legnini - Rhythm sphere (Igloo)
2012 : Charles Loos Trio - Secret Laughs (Igloo)
2012 : Solis Lacus - Solis Lacus (Heavenly Sweetness)
2013 : Stéphane Mercier – Duology (Quetzal Records)