Biography

Saxophonist TOINE THYS is an intense player, with a warm and full tone. He is a central figure for saxophone and bass clarinet in Europe, as well as in Western Africa. Thys is active as a leader of his own projects, but also is a much demanded sideman and composer.

Toine Thys is performing since 2007 with the TOINE THYS TRIO with the amazing Arno Krijger (NL) on Hammond organ and the young and talented drummer Antoine Pierre (B).
After their first « The End of certainty » (« Révélation» award in French JAZZMAN), they released « GRIZZLY » on IGLOO records in March 2015.

Commissioned by the Jeunesses Musicales (Belgian ‘Musical Youth’), Toine wrote a musical fairy tale for children : « La Mélodie Philosophale » (the Philosopher’s Melody). Performed together with drummer Jens Bouttery and pianist Eric Bribosia, this successfull show mixes music, story in unique way.

In 2013, Toine starts with DERviSH, electr(on)ic trio where the saxophonist explores processing sound, together with drums master Patrick Dorcean and wonder bass player Dries Laheye. First ep « Abstracks » came out in summer 2014.

Alongside Laurent Blondiau he started the educational project ‘Les Ventistes du Faso‘ with the support of MetX The goal is to develop the practice of wind instruments (woodwind and brass) in Burkina Faso, and encourage the creation of ‘horn sections’ quickly adaptable to existing bands.

As a sideman, he is playing with Afrikan Protoköl (Burkina Faso/Belgium), Sidiki Camara (Mali), Antoine Pierre Group (B), Afrodisax (Lux), Bounce Trio (FR), Anne Paceo (FR), Jozef Dumoulin and many others. Toine has worked or recorded with RACKHAM (B) Take the Duck, Ben Monder (USA), Andrew D’Angelo, Reggie Washington, , and studied with Joe Lovano, Seamus Blake, Tony Malaby, Chris Potter, Dave Holland, …

He’s been active as a guest teacher in summer music classes in Europe, Western Africa and in South Korea and he is also very involved with musicians rights in Belgium (facir.be).