Jacques Pili

Electric bassist, double bassist, and musical director Jacques Pili has had a unique career path. Initially a self-taught musician, he joined Michel Hatzigeorgiou's class in the jazz department of the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles in 1993. At the same time, he took his first steps as a professional musician, accompanying Marc Morgan.

He completed his studies at the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles with a First Prize in electric bass (1995) and a First Prize in harmony and jazz improvisation (1998) in Arnould Massart's class. He then took analysis classes at the Royal Conservatory of Mons with Jean-Luc Fafchamps, as well as continuing education courses in rhythm taught by Arnould Massart.

A versatile musician, he has made a name for himself on the jazz scene, notably with Qu4tre, Mattis, Colours, Marco Locurcio Trio, Chrystel Wautier, Jean Pol Estiévenart, Laurent Doumont, Nicolas Kummert, Jozef Dumoulin, Michele Rabbia, Bert Joris, and in his own quartet, Poesia del Suono.

He can also be heard alongside artists such as Maurane, with whom he had a long collaboration as bassist and musical director from 2000 to 2008, Lara Fabian from 2005 to 2009, and Michel Fugain from 2005 to 2013.

From 2011 to 2018, he was the musical director, arranger, casting director, and bassist for The Voice Belgium. His curiosity also led him to collaborate with the Astoria ensemble and perform Mikis Theodorakis's oratorio Canto General Theodorakis. In a duo with Santo Scinta, he created five sound illustrations: Jazz meets Roy for the CAP (formerly BAM) in Mons, based on the work of Roy Lichtenstein.

Alongside this rich career, Jacques Pili has been teaching electric bass, double bass, and guitar for 32 years now in various institutions such as the academies of Auvelais, Marchienne, and Courcelles, as well as in France at Tourcoing at the EF2M or at the private music school in Jurbise. He also leads workshops such as the Summer Jazz Academy, Quand les cordes s'accordent (When Strings Come Together), and Viens fabriquer ton bol chantant (Come Make Your Singing Bowl).

Since 2021, he has joined the team at the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles and two of its departments, teaching jazz reading and jazz harmony, as well as Rhythm Practice and Experience at BaRR, where he is currently co-president. He sees art as a tool for human emancipation in the service of society. It is this vision that informs his approach and his commitment to teaching.