Matthias Van den Brande

Saxophonist/Composer/Arranger/Teacher

Matthias Van den Brande is a young saxophone player and composer/arranger with already an interesting story. Having lived and studied in various corners of the world, from his home country Belgium to the Netherlands (Amsterdam) and the United States (Philadelphia), he developed a strong voice and personality in the jazz idiom and beyond. Recently, Matthias played and recorded as a soloist with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra for the project ‘The Future Is Now’. In 2018, he released his debut album as a leader called ‘Opus #1’, blending a classical wind quintet and a jazz quartet together through his own original compositions and arrangements. In 2022, he released a second album entitled 'Three Sides of a Coin' with his award-winning trio. For 2 years, the trio played extensively in Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and France.

A new album called 'Fields of Color', inspired by the artworks of Mark Rothko, came out in March 2025 on Fresh Sound Records. For the occasion, Matthias invited Jean-Paul Estiévenart to join the trio on trumpet. 


Matthias is also a frequently asked sideman in various groups such as the Tijs Klaassen Quintet, Mo van der Does Motet, Saxkartel, Marit van der Lei Nextet, Basile Rahola Quartet, Daan Herweg Quartet, ... Venues you might have seen him play at include the Bimhuis (NL), Bozar (BE), Lantarenvenster (NL), North Sea Jazz Festival (NL), Gent Jazz Festival (BE), deSingel (BE), Jazz Middelheim (BE), ...

For recent shows, check the concert list on this website or follow Matthias and his bands on social media.




Awards:

Matthias Van den Brande Trio - 'Grand Prix Du Jury' - Tremplin Jazz 'Concours Européen' Avignon (2022)

Matthias Van den Brande Trio - 'Prix du meilleur instrumentaliste' - Tremplin Jazz 'Concours Européen' Avignon (2022)
Matthias Van den Brande Trio – B-Jazz Contest 'Grand Prize Albert Michiels' (2022)
Tijs Klaassen Quintet – SENA performers award, Dutch Jazz Competition (2021)
Mo van der Does Motet – Keep an Eye the Records (2020)
Matthias Van den Brande Group – Art of Musical Expression Award (2018)
Tijs Klaassen Quintet – Keep an Eye the Records (2018)

Spoken Saxophone Quartet – Keep an Eye the Records (2017)
Matthias Van den Brande - Cultuurprijs Deurne (2011)

Fields of Color

Step into the wonderful world of 'Fields of Color', Inspired by the impressive paintings of Mark Rothko, this project brings to life a vibrant palette of sounds and feelings.

With his profound fascination for Rothko's art, Matthias has been guided by the intense emotions and subtle nuances found in Rothko's paintings. Just as Rothko's canvases convey a profound sense of spirituality through color, light, and composition, 'Fields of Color' aims to create a similar depth and richness of sonic landscapes.

This intriguing project not only showcases Matthias Van den Brande's award-winning trio, but also welcomes the acclaimed trumpeter Jean-Paul Estiévenart, who adds an extra dimension of expressiveness and virtuosity to the musical exploration. Together, they create a symphony of colors and sounds, where each note is a brushstroke on the canvas of the imagination.

Matthias Van den Brande

Saxophone, compositions

Wouter Kühne
Drums

Jean-Paul Estiévenart
Trumpet

“I became a painter because I wanted to raise painting to the level of poignancy of music and poetry.”

M. Rothko

Press quotes

Fields of Color



“It is pulsating, powerful, exciting, captivating.

A pure joy to listen to.”

****

Le Soir (BE)

Jean-Claude Vantroyen



“Written or improvised, this music is a remarkable reimagining of the painter’s legacy.”


Jazznytt (NO)

Anne Yven



“Van den Brande's songs sound like warm poetic scenes.”


Jazzenzo (NL)

Georges Tonly Briquet



“In his book The Artist’s Reality: Philosophies of Art, Rothko stated: “For like any organic substance, art must always be in a state of flux, the tempo being slow or fast. But it must move.” And this most satisfying music certainly does that.”


UK Jazz News (UK)

Julian Maynard-Smith



“ ‘Fields Of Color’ is a varied album that continues to fascinate.” 


JazzFlits (NL)

Herman Te Loo



“ ‘Fields of Color’ has many musical layers of expressive interaction where sax and trumpet challenge each other and at the same time merge into a profound dialogue, perfectly complemented by fine accents of bass and drums.”


Jazz'Halo (BE)

Bernard Lefèvre



“Their strongest record to date.”


Luminous Dash (BE)

Bootsie Butsenzeller