I am a researcher of jazz and popular music. I have obtained a B.A. (2007) and an M.A. (2009) in jazz bass performance from the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, and a Ph.D. in the Arts (2018) from the University of Antwerp (Belgium) for my dissertation on James ‘Jimmie’ Blanton, Jr. (1918–1942), best known as Duke Ellington’s bass player between 1939 and 1941.

As a double bassist, I have played in various settings, from symphony orchestras under the baton of Jaap van Zweden and Philippe Herreweghe to sideman appearances with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra and harmonica player Toots Thielemans. I freelance in various orchestras and ensembles, such as the Symphony of Unity (Tomorrowland 2023), Frascati Symphonic, and the Belgian National Orchestra.

Between 2009 and 2019, I taught jazz bass, ensemble, music appreciation, and jazz history in various secondary and higher education music institutions in Belgium. In 2016–17, I was engaged as a substitute lecturer in jazz history at the University of Amsterdam and the Conservatorium of Amsterdam (the Netherlands). As a researcher, I worked at the University of Antwerp (Belgium), from 2012 to 2018 as a predoctoral research assistant, and from 2018 to 2021 as a postdoctoral researcher.

Currently, I am Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Senior Researcher and Lecturer at Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (KCB), where I coordinate the research group 'Jazz, Improvised Music, and Popular Music.' My expertise lies within jazz and popular music with a focus on artistic research, (Belgian) jazz history, jazz bass playing, and the Beatles. 

As Jazzmatt Productions, I freelance as a musician, public speaker, writer, editor, expert, and travel guide.

Also, I am on Academia, LinkedIn, and (formerly) Twitter. Should you have any queries, feel free to contact me.