At GHX we greatly value live music, every aspect of the festival is drenched in live tunes.
We're very lucky to have amazing bands in our Belgian dance scene and we invite you to experience them first-hand.
Friday evening
Swing Kitchen
What do you get when you invite 5 quirky musicians for an evening of swinging? At GHX, pianist Heleen Andriessen will bring her new band. Expect a recipe of danceable classics and unknown gems.
Heleen, Emilie, Joachim, Pieter & Jan serve you graceful melodies and crazy piano jumps on a bed of steady walking and driving drums. Have a taste of this simmering stew!
Hop Sh Bam Deluxe
An excellent SWING band from Belgium, brilliantly guided by Marie Anne Standaert on trumpet and vocals. Being a dancer herself, she perfectly knows how to combine all the musical ingredients to provide dancers with top swing music. All Hop-sh-Bam musicians swing with their whole body, heart and soul!
Be prepared: Heavy swing and Hot jazz that will make your feet move like never before!
Saturday afternoon
Les Croissants Belges
Les Croissants Belges dive into the swing of the last century with the mission to channel their passion and roaring energy into the legacy of Django Reinhardt.
With guitars like roaring horses and waves of sound from the vibraphone, they bring their view on the gypsy swing with room for their own stylistic interventions.
https://www.facebook.com/LesCroissantsBelges
Heebie Jeebie Jazz
The Roaring 20s are back! This collective of 3 musicians and a tap dancer brings you not only the music, but also the dance from this unforgettable era, supplemented with playful charleston, ragtime and swing.
Let yourself be carried away by these cheerful sounds!
https://www.facebook.com/Heebiejeebiejazz/
Eleanor
This Ghentian quartet will bring you swing music that dusts off the sounds of Billie holiday, Django and the manouche.
A strong rhythm section supporting beautiful conversations between a clarinet, a saxophone and a heartwarming voice. They complement each other perfectly to bring a glimpse of the freedom and fun of the swing with their own sound.
https://www.facebook.com/Eleanorbandgent
Saturday evening
Le Quintette du Hot Club de Gand
'Le Quintette du Hot Club de Gand' is a band originated during the many jam sessions at the Hot Club Gent, one of the most iconic jazz cafes of the city where live music is present almost daily.
In this edition of the GHX, Fapy Lafertin (guitar), Koen de Cauter (vocals, sax), Waso de Cauter (guitar), Dajo de Cauter (double bass) and Lionel Beuvens (drums) will play the first set on Saturday evening and get you back on your feet for the second night of the festival!
Birds of Swing
Birds Of Swing is a band formed by guitarist Waso de Cauter. The line-up of this local band can vary, but it always makes the audience feel the depths and joys of live swing.
In this edition the band will be a sextet with Viktor Perdieus (sax), Wim Segers (vibraphone), Djalt Baculalay (guitar), Dajo de Cauter (double bass), Waso de Cauter (guitar) and Lionel Beuvens (drums).
Lester's Blues
A swing jazz septet formed by saxophonist Tom Callens, Lester’s Blues pay hommage to and play the energetic effortless swinging style and music of 1930’s small groups of Count Basie, Lester Young and their peers.
The septet is modelled after some of the bands the Count had: a four-piece rhythm section with piano and rhythm guitar, and three horns, composed of leading Belgian and Dutch seasoned jazz and swing players, each having earned their stripes through many years of gigging and practice. They will surely cater for a stomping party!
Jake Walker
Ghent-based collective Jake Walker originated in the swing dance scene. Swing music connects this group of artists with diverse musical personalities. Renowned for their creativity and dynamics, they carry on and enrich the tradition of jazz music.
This local band will make you dance the night away!
Sunday afternoon
't Mouvement
This Ghent based big band is the ambassador of all your beloved swing classics. Think: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Gene Krupa, Fletcher Henderson and many more from the 30s and 40s.
Playing in Ghent pubs as well as national and international dance festivals they prove jazz is for everybody. ’t Mouvement will get you back on your feet!