Best wishes from Aubergine Artist Management!

When it gets colder outside, you know the end of the year is near. Time to write down our good intentions for the year 2018 and look back on 2017. It was a beautiful, exciting year full of joyful moments & big milestones. Furthermore, time has flown!

Not only was 2017 the year in which jazz celebrated its 100 years of existence, Aubergine Artist Management also entered its 10th year of life and celebrated it with several 'Aubergine' concert nights.

Likewise, LABtrio blew out 10 candles in 2017, releasing a new album “Nature City” (Outhere Music, February). The band was overwhelmed by all the positive reviews, i.a. this quote of De Standaard: "LABtrio has international class & style. It elevates music." Icing on the cake was definitely their concert at North Sea Jazz.

In the summer, we welcomed the new project of Lynn Cassiers, Imaginary Band. The singer was invited by Brosella Folk & Jazz Festival to compose for this year's Carte Blanche. She has been dreaming of her own band in which she fills the role of artistic director for a while and invited Alexandra Grimal (saxofoon), Ananta Roossens (viool & trompet), Niels Van Heertum (euphonium), Erik Vermeulen (piano), Manolo Cabras (contrabas) en Marek Patrman (drums) to form a septet. In spring 2018 they'll release their debut album. Something to look forward to!

Another remarkable summer festival was Südtirol Jazz Festival. During their Benelux Focus, 3 of our bands - Warped Dreamer, LABtrio & De Beren Gieren - performed. This extremely idyllic festival was without any doubt one of Aubergine’s highlights this year.

In the fall of 2017, no less than 4 of our bands released a new album. De Beren Gieren caught the peak with their widely acclaimed “Dug Out Skyscrapers” (Sdban Ultra). Then, BRZZVLL followed with the psychedelic album “Waiho” (Sdban Ultra). Meanwhile, we welcomed Hungarian singer Veronika Harcsa & French saxophone player Guillaume Orti here in Belgium for their four days “Diving Poet Society” release tour (W.E.R.F. Records) with Kris Defoort Trio. Aka Moon, finally, presented its new trio album “NOW” in December in the context of their 25th anniversary (Outhere Music).

Thanks to everyone who was part of this fantastic, fruitful, well-stocked year. Now, on to a healthy, musical and warm 2018. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!