Artist Info

Ben Sluijs followed a 5-year classical saxophone training. During that period he also participated in various classical summerworkshops in Libramont (Belgium) where he was taught by Francois Danneels; Norbert Nozy, Willy Demey..... Since the age of 15, Ben's fascination for jazz had grown and after finishing the classical school in excelence, he started a 4-year training at the Antwerp Jazz-Studio where his teacher was John Ruocco. 1 year conservatory Brussels with Steve Houben. Workshop with David Liebman in the US (2004)
Ben teaches now himself at the conservatorium and the academy of Antwerp.
History as a performing musician:
Experiences as sideman: Octurn, BRT Big Band, Brussels Jazz- Orchestra, Myriam Alter Quintet, Act Big Band, Jean Warland's Sax No End, Ivan Paduart Septet, Loet Van Der
Played with: Philippe Catherine, Toots Thielemans, Bert Van den Brink, Michel Herr, Bert Joris, Dre Pallemaerts, Hein Van De Geijn, Nathalie Lorrier, Chris Joris, Joe Fonda, John Betsch...
In 1997 he represented Belgium in the European Big Band in Slovenia.
He receives the Antoon Van Dijck-award in 1999 presented by the city of Antwerp. Nominations: Zamu-Awards 2003, 2007 and d'Jango d'Or 2006 (Brussels).
Performed on various national and international festivals like Jazz-Middelheim (Belgium), Knitting Factory (New York), festival de Montreal (Canada), North Sea festival (Holland)... In march 2003