Karel Van Marcke

Karel Van Marcke (born 1967) studied classical percussion (1st price diploma) and obtained the first Masters degree in Flanders majoring in Composition, Jazz and Pop Music Arranging (diploma supplement Jazzpiano) from the Royal Conservatory in Brussels.The cd’s “Trinity Song“ and “Remembrance“ with his experimental big band Jambangle, were received with much praise by the press and the public.He won two BAP Sabam composition prices (2000 & 2005) at the European Jazz Contest in Hoeilaart and was asked as guestcomposer at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels in 2001.Together with Michel Bisceglia, he arranged for many years the animated series “Symfollies“. The basic idea of “Symfollies“ is to introduce the sound of classical music to the children in a pleasant and playfull way.Throughout the years he was commissioned several classical pieces :“Rotary wheels“ symphonic ouverture (Brussels Philharmonic – 2004), “Hommage“ piano & violin piece (vzw Muza – Aalst), “Stringquartet 1“ (soloists of the Luxemburg Philharmonic Orchestra), “Music for organ“ (Intern. Organfest. Veurne), “Exploding music“ (in collaboration with Bart Quartier), brassoctet Triptic“ (soloists National Orchestra), ‘Children“ piano solo pieces, …Van Marcke was commissioned by the Concertgebouw in Bruges to create a multimedia event “De Zotte Koning“. He was also asked for many other crossover events in Flanders : “Mijn Kappelekensbaan“, “Zappa meets Bond“, “Moenie worrie nie“, “Stop !“, “Commenius project St Bavo 2005 & 2006“, “Conversations“.At a certain point Van Marcke decided to start a new band called Chroma. After a search for the ideal female lead singer, Van Marcke decided to work with different guests for the first Chroma album “Radea“: singer David Linx, guitarist Peter Hertmans, accordionist Tuur Florizoone, singer Ingrid Weetjens and percussionist Peter Schneider.Rock musician and sound wizard David Poltrock produced the recording, and achieved a collaboration with Hooverphonic singer Geike Arnaert.The Chroma CD “Radea“ was presented exclusively on the famous Blue Note Records Festival 2007 in Ghent and was received with much praise by the international press and the public.Van Marcke continued his collaboration with Geike Arnaert and was asked to play in trio at the Klarafestival 2008 (Paleis voor Schone Kunsten – Brussels). This concert was broadcasted live on Radio Klara. At this moment Van Marcke is composing the filmic solo project of singer Kyoko Bartsoen (Lunascape).