Vitja Pauwels

Naima Joris, The Bony King of Nowhere, An Pierlé, Woolvs, Lara Rosseel... All of them call upon (or did call upon) the talents of the young musician. Not to mention his role as frontman of Bombataz... That versatility is something that has characterized Pauwels since childhood, it seems. He started playing guitar as a five-year-old. He went through classical music school but played pop tunes along with the radio as a teenager. After studying architecture - something he says made him better understand musical structures - the Conservatory beckoned, where he went on to study jazz guitar but at the same time conducted a research project on electronics.

After his studies, he released his first solo album, "Day at Half Speed," in 2019. Between all his own projects and involvement with others, the Brussels native still found time last year to release a wonderful solo album on W.E.R.F. Records. 'Drift By / Sink In' is a musical encounter between tradition and experiment, between a love of jazz, americana, roots and electronic music, drum computers and effects pedals. Focus Knack cited comparisons to grandmasters Daniel Lanois and Ry Cooder and immediately referred the gem to the year-end lists. He presented the album at Flagey, Handelsbeurs and AB and at the BRAND! Festival in Mechelen. There he met the living legend Marc Ribot. In 2024 they will release music together as Early Life Forms. But first Pauwels will perform solo at Gent Jazz. Future legend!