Biography

Sébastien is a Belgian guitarist and composer based in Rotterdam, whose artistry bridges jazz, world music, and contemporary improvisation. With a deep-rooted passion for the guitar and a distinctive musical voice, he has established himself as a versatile performer and dedicated teacher active across the Netherlands and Europe.

Born and raised in Belgium, Sébastien grew up immersed in a vibrant family of professional musicians. His formal musical training began at five years old at a public music academy, where he built a diverse classical foundation. At home, his ear was shaped by his father’s performances and records collection giving him a firsthand look at the musician’s life from a young age.

At the age of fifteen, Sébastien’s musical path took a defining turn when he enrolled at the Kunsthumaniora Brussel and discovered jazz. Throughout his time there, he was guided by renowned musicians such as Bert Cools, Dieter Limbourg, and Stijn Wauters. After graduating in 2016, he moved to the Netherlands to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts).

Studies and Influences

In 2023, Sébastien completed his Master’s degree in Jazz Guitar Performance at Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam. During his studies, he was mentored by acclaimed guitarists such as Nelson Veras, Reinier Baas, Ronald Schmitz, Ed Verhoeff, and Ben de Bruijn, each of whom helped shape his individual approach to sound, technique, and improvisation.

Additionally, during his time at Codarts, Sébastien regularly attended classes with various inspiring musicians including Hans van Oosterhout, Simon Rigter, Stefan Lievestro, Niti Ranjan Biswas, Jarmo Hoogendijk, and Frans van Geest.

He also had the chance to attend masterclasses with internationally celebrated artists, including Cory Henry, Adam Agati, Gilad Hekselman, Michael League, Ben Wendel, Peter Bernstein, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Sylvain Luc, Bill Frisell, Scott Henderson, Cenk Erdoğan, Allen Hinds, Tineke Postma, Miles Okazaki, Jason Lindner, Peter Beets, and Martijn van Iterson.

Performance Career

Sébastien has performed across Europe, including festival and concert stages in Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Cyprus. His work focuses mainly on jazz, funk, and cross-cultural collaborations.

Currently, his creative output centers on three main bands. As a member of the Zaatar Quintet alongside musicians from Bulgaria, Turkey, Germany, and Syria, he explores the meeting point of Middle Eastern makam traditions, jazz, and Western classical music.

He continues this cross-cultural jazz fusion approach with the Ghaeth Almaghoot Quintet.

On the groove side, he plays with Curtis Millen, a high-energy funk project inspired by Prince and James Brown that highlights his tight rhythm playing, and Banda Matatu, where he focuses on Afro-Latin rhythms.

Beyond his permanent bands, Sébastien frequently handles short-term projects and guest appearances. Notably, he performed with the NJJO (National Youth Jazz Orchestra) in a production led and conducted by Dutch jazz vocalist and pianist Ruben Hein. He has also shared the stage with notable artists such as Brazilian guitar virtuoso Yamandu Costa, Turkish singer-songwriter Efkan Şeşen, Saxophonist Benjamin Herman and the global fusion band Lo Poloko.

Teaching and Mentorship

Alongside his performing career, Sébastien is an accomplished guitar teacher with ten years of experience. He teaches at music schools in the Netherlands, where he works with students of all ages and levels. His teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, a strong technical foundation, and the pure joy of making music. Whether guiding beginners through their first chords or helping advanced students refine their improvisational skills, he aims to instill confidence and a lasting love for the guitar.

Artistic Vision

At the heart of Sébastien’s artistry lies a curiosity for sound and connection. His music is not bound by rigid genre categories; instead, it seeks to create dialogue between traditions, between musicians, and between performer and listener.