B-Classic - 12.12.2025 Looking Within with Brussels Jazz Orchestra & Philippe Thuriot

On December 12, B-Classic and de Velinx invite you to the majestic Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek in Tongeren-Borgloon for a heartwarming winter concert.

A church, an accordion, an orchestra without drums, without piano. Only breath, brass, and sound.

With Looking Within, Brussels Jazz Orchestra wants to oppose today’s busy, hectic and digital society: together with accordionist Philippe Thuriot, the orchestra creates a repertoire that invites the audience to a contemplative experience. New whisper-quiet yet powerful compositions are written by Bert Joris, who is familiar with the orchestra’s versatility and has worked with them before on projects like Smooth Shake (2016) and Signs and Signatures (2010). Looking Within brings the audience together in acoustic spaces such as churches, cathedrals and similar venues that match the unique power of this brand new repertoire. Joris wrote the new compositions to suit the (for BJO) atypical concert locations and instrumentation (without piano, guitar and drums). During a contemplative experience for both musician and audience, the usual orchestral set up is being questioned.

“An at times sacred experience, carried by the introspective compositions of Bert Joris and the accordion of Philippe Thuriot.”
— De Standaard ★★★★

Philippe Thuriot

Accordionist Philippe Thuriot has been performing on international stages for 30 years. During his multifaceted career, he stepped into the world of dance performance (with Alain Platel, for example), classical music (like improvisations on music by J.S. Bach), collaborated with large bands and ensembles (with WDR Bigband, Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen, a.o.) and joined forces with resounding names from the international jazz scene (like Maria Schneider and Ellery Eskelin).

Brussels Jazz Orchestra

Brussels Jazz Orchestra plays jazz with a dynamic orchestral sound rooted in jazz tradition. The only professional large jazz ensemble in Belgium, the BJO has a reputation stretching from Singapore to New York. They are frequent guests at festivals and stages all over the world. The recordings of the BJO, 25 CDs to date, have received international recognition and been awarded numerous prizes. In 2012 the orchestra was part of the Oscar triumph for the silent film The Artist, as co-performer of the soundtrack. The album “Wild Beauty” featuring Joe Lovano (2013) was nominated for two Grammy Awards. In June 2017, the album BREL with David Linx won an Edison Jazz/World Award. In February 2020, the orchestra shared the stage of BOZAR (Brussels, Belgium) with the world famous Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra led by Wynton Marsalis. Brussels Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1993 and works under the artistic direction of Frank Vaganée. In 2023, Brussels Jazz Orchestra blew out 30 candles and celebrated with a concert series with Aka Moon (February 2023) and a birthday tour with lots of musical guests (October 2023).

Photos: Lennert Nuyttens
In collaboration with de Velinx. With thanks to the City of Tongeren-Borgloon.