VI.BE

Joseph Nowell is a half-English, half-Italian pianist based in Brussels. After completing a master's degree in classical piano in Siena and studying jazz and free improvisation in Siena jazz, winning several grants and awards, he completed a master degree in jazz piano magna cum laude in Koninklijk Conservatorium Antwerpen with Erik Vermeulen.

In 2018 Joseph and Manolo Cabras (collaborator of Ben Sluijs, Toots Thielemans, Manuel Hermia, Chris Joris etc) met in a jam session in Antwerp and immediately connected, and started working with Gaspard Sicx, a young but already established Brussels-based drummer. After a forced break due to the pandemic, the trio released their first album "Sketches" (Off Record Label) in 2022, receiving positive reviews from Le Soir, Jazz Halo, etc.

Through Joseph's compositions, the trio aims to combine elements of traditional and modern jazz colours with 20th century classical music in an honest, open setting. The written material serves as a springboard for the creation of free-flowing music, with a strong emphasis on improvisation and interplay between the three members of the trio. This is especially evident in the "Sketches of" tracks of the album, which are open improvisations based on Joseph's compositions.

https://stilll-off.bandcamp.com/album/sketches

https://www.josephnowellmusic.com/