Reflections

REFLECTIONS is a jazz ensemble that started as a duo with Chris Van Grieken on soprano and alto saxophone and Koen Geudens on piano (Rhodes). The Duo soon became a trio with Garif Thelzhanov on double bass. After playing interpretations of the jazz standards for some time we started the project " 'Round Monk " playing music from or influenced by the great Thelonious Monk. We use the intimate setting without drums so the ensemble is as suitable for performing for a listening audience as for providing background music at your parties. For more intense performances, the trio sometimes performs with an extra drummer. ____________________________________________________________ _ Bio's ____________________________________________________________ _ CHRIS VAN GRIEKEN is an autodidact saxophone player. As a kid, he played everything he could lay his hands on (recorder, mandoline, trumpet, ...). Then he discovered the saxophone. He started on alto, but was soon attracted by the haunting sound of the soprano saxophone (Steve Lacy !!) which became his main instrument. Experience came by playing in a classical concert band and a Dixieland band for many years. Later he switched to playing jazz only. Some lessons with Stéphane Mercier and Gunther Valckenier at the jazz studio opened new directions. Besides playing in this trio he also plays in another duo and big band. ____________________________________________________________ __ KOEN GEUDENS (born in 1983) started playing the piano at the age of six. While taking lessons in classical piano at the music academy in Turnhout he also came in touch with jazz. He finally ended up at the Lemmensinstutuut in Leuven where he followed lessons and workshops by Ron Van Rossum, Dré Pallemaerts, Frank Vaganée, Bill Carrothers, Jack Van Poll en Rick Margitza. Koen graduated in 2006 and since then he is teaching at several academies. He performs with several bands, covering different styles. Besides playing in this trio, Koen is leader of his own jazz trio "They Came Out Of The Woods" and is playing with "Ruby" and "Mo' Greens". Koen has also performed with artists such as Paul Michiels, Raymond Van Het Groenewoud, Axl Peleman and even the great Toots Thielemans. Finally Koen is also active in the world of theatre. He composed for and acted in the show "Storm Before Silence". So Koen is striving to get as many experiences as possible, play a lot, meet people and make music!______________________________________________________ _______ GARIF TELZHANOV Born in Almaty, USSR. At the age of seven he began studying classical music playing oboe and cello which he continued to study at the conservatory of Almaty. Garif played as a cellist in different groups and orchestras. Later Garif started to study jazz bass at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven where he graduated in 2009. His teachers were a.o. Philippe Aerts, Jos Machtel, Nick Thys, Pierre Van Dormael, Frank Vaganee, Peter Hertmans, Ron Van Rossum, Dre Pallemaerts and many others... He also followed workshops with Phill Woods, Erwin Vann and Stephane Galland, Billy Hart, Dave Liebman, Bill Carrothers etc. Now he's playing in several small jazz groups and teaches bass. ..