Frank Deruytter plays the T9 V.16 mouthpiece with V16 reeds #2.5
Belgian Saxophonist Frank Deruytter is a multitalented musician.
Admired by Jazz aficionados for his unique sound on the Tenor Sax,
impeccable technique and unstoppable flow of new and refreshing
musical ideas, he is also a gifted vocalist and Bass guitar player.
Frank strongly believes in the marriage between Jazz & Funk and critics
often compare his style to the way Michael Brecker played.
Read more on his work and life in the following paragraphs.
AN ALLROUND MUSICIAN
SAXOPHONIST
BASS GUITAR PLAYER
COMPOSER
PRODUCER
VOCALIST
Short Biography
Frank started playing the saxophone at the age of 12. Even at a young age, Frank was already considered one of the great talents on the Belgian music scene. And from a young age, Frank experienced a great deal of success on the road with various jazz, pop, rock, and funk ensembles. At the age of 18, Frank won the Knack Youth Jazz Trophy, which was presented to him personally by the legendary Toots Thielemans.
Along his musical path, Frank met Carlo Mertens (trombone) and Nico Schepers (Trumpet), and after several productions and collaborations together, the trio decided to form a horns group. The Heavy Horns was born, the first real horns group in Belgium. Over the years, the Heavy Horns have played on countless national and international productions including CD, Television, and live performances.
Frank also met and collaborated with Piet Goddaer (Ozark Henry). Together they composed the music for the CD Sunzoo Manley: To All Our Escapes. Frank plays tenor sax and clarinet, while Stephane Galland (aka Moon, Joe Zawinul syndicate) plays the drums.
In 2005, Frank was honored to be chosen as one of the select artists to perform for the Belgian Royal Family at the Belgium 175 Years celebration event in Brussels, Belgium. His unforgettable solo sax performance will forever remain a defining moment in Belgian music history.
In 2012 Frank recorded his first acoustic solo CD, Frank Deruytter Quartet. Frank wrote and composed all the music. The CD includes Peter Erskine on Drums, Eric Legnini on piano, and Bart Denolf on Contrabass.
Frank ‘s teaching credentials include teaching positions at the Music Academies of Kortrijk, Overijse, Tervuren, and Hoeilaart, as well as the Conservatorium of Ghent, and the Jazz Studio in Antwerp. At the request of Maarten Weyler, since 2006, Frank has been teaching saxophone and combo at the Summer Music Camp in Dworp.
MUSICAL INFLUENCES
Frank considers the greatest influences on his personal style to come from some of the world’s greatest in jazz, pop, and rock including Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker, Junior Walker, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Peter Erskine, Michael Brecker, Jan Garbarek, John Coltrane, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Prince, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Police, and many others.
MUSICAL STYLES
Jazz > Contemporary Jazz
Funk
Pop
Hip Hop
COLLABORATIONS
Below are but a few of the many artists Frank has played or collaborated with:
Peter Erskine, Bobby Womack, Elliot Murphy, The Blow Monkeys, The Four Tops, Maceo Parker, Ike Turner, Ben L’oncle Soul, Ozark Henri, Sunzoo Manley (with Stephane Galland and Piet Goddaer), Wizards Of Ooze, Louis Jardim (Grace Jones, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, and others), Jamal Thomas (Maceo Parker, S.O.S Band), Khadja Nin, Steve Willaert, Blue Blot, Tony O Malley (10 Cc, Kokomo, and others), Vaya Con Dios, Maurane, Soulsister, Viktor Laszlo, Raymond Vhgw, Clouseau, Gibson Brothers, David Linx, Bert Joris, Eric Legnini, Patrick Deltenre, Nicolas Fiszman, Philippe Decock, Bart Denolf, Mimi Verderame, Yves Bb, Jean Pierre Froidbise (Such A Noise), Tom Van Stiphout, Nico Schepers, Carlo Mertens, Dieter Limbourg, Carlo Nardozza, Lode Mertens, Ben Fleerakkers, Peter Delanoy, Tony Vitacollona, Bert Gielen, Hans Francken, Jo Francken, Johan Verminnen, Will Tura, Jo Lemaire, Frank Vaganee, Steve Clisby, Michel Bisceglia Trio, Groovemania, Carlos Dias, 1060 Soul, Sofie So Four, Matt Dawson, Ivan Paduart, Philippe Aerts, Martijn Vink, Jean Pierre Taieb, Thierry Fan Fan (Angelique Khidjo), Wladimir Geels, Roberto Mercurio, Evert Verhees, Thierry Gutman, Marcus Weymaer, Vincent Pierens, Werner Pensaert, Serge Plume, Marc Godfroid, and many others…
Visit his website: www.frankderuytter.com