PROFOUND OBSERVER | lennertbaertsmusic

BIO

Sound, intimacy and freedom. That is the best way to describe the new project of saxophonist/composer Lennert Baerts. Together with Vitja Pauwels (BE, guitar) and Daniël Jonkers (NL, drums) he formed the trio 'Profound Observer'. Baerts chose Pauwels and Jonkers for their warm sound, intuition and unique musical identity. Each of the musicians has his own contribution that far exceeds the boundaries of jazz music.

With 'I Choose Not To' the trio presents their first show. To create room for development, the compositions are usually stripped down to their absolute essence. In the search for musical warmth, the trio resolutely chooses to make music with great openness. That is why the listener can expect a unique and spontaneous performance in every performance.
In addition to their trio, 'Profound Observer' will occasionally be expanded with trumpet virtuoso Bert Joris. With him, 'Profound Observer' recently recorded their first full album.

Profound Observer ft. Bert Joris

I CHOOSE NOT TO

Lennert Baerts | Tenor Saxophone & Compositions

Bert Joris | Trumpet

Vitja Pauwels | Guitar

Daniel Jonkers | Drums

PRESS QUOTES

"With his third album I CHOOSE NOT TO, tenor saxophonist confirms his reputation as one of the greatest talents of the current generation."
"Both (Joe) Lovano and (Jakob) Bro already praised you (Lennert) in Knack!"

"Temperamental, modern jazz with an open mind"

- Knack / ☆☆☆☆ -

“A great album and an even better concert.”

“A catchy final piece (Fulfilment Of A Not Forgotten Promise), briefly reminiscent of the aesthetic of the famed Paul Motian Trio, which Baerts is very much inspired by and in which American saxophonist Joe Lovano was so important. Lovano already praised Baerts when he saw him at Jazz Middelheim. We don't disagree with him.”

- De Standaard / ☆☆☆☆ (concert review) -

“In a relative blink of an eye, saxophonist and composer Lennert Baerts has emerged as one of the most captivating young voices on the Belgian jazz scene.”

“… a trio/quartet that combines beautifully to create a sound that is both ethereal in essence and kinetically charged. There’s a great vibe to the music, with a spirited freedom running through the course of the entire album.”

“There’s some fabulous playing here from all four musicians with solos of finesse and style. As a band, I admire the balance of tension, release, subtlety, abrasiveness, texture, colour, charm and candour; all of which are key to this album’s individual oeuvre.”

- UK Vibe / ☆☆☆☆ -

"...A musical whirlwind both on record and live. In their playing, it all sounds ingenious and surprising...
When the boundaries of the genre blur in virtuosity... A superb, captivating, convincing set!"

- Musiczine / ☆☆☆☆☆ -

"A collaborative process of two generations and a win-win situation for musicians among themselves but also for the audience. For Lennert Baerts, there are clearly no musical boundaries. The saxophonist loves cross-pollinations and mixes various musical styles to his heart's content. With Profound Observer, he seeks interfaces between chamber music, jazz and atmospheric film music."

- Jazz'halo -