Artist Info

As of young age he started playing music and later enrolled, he first studied classical music at the Mechelen Conservatory, and thereafter at the Royal Antwerp Conservatory.
Since 1983, he leads a variety of groups. He works for a while as a freelance saxophonist in the BRTN (radio & television) Jazz Orchestra and in '87 was responsible for a show with Toots THIELEMANS.?Was member of the TIMELESS ORCHESTRA, a big band with which he toured Europe and Japan. ?In 1989, he was designated by the BRTN to participate in the orchestra of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Venice, and in 1992 at the "Festival de Jazz de Vienne" (France).
Nominated in 1991, Belgian press, Best young talent of jazz and in 1993, was awarded the CERA/Jeugd en Muziek-Prijs' (Cera prise of la Jeunesse Musicale).
His first album ' PICTURE A VIEW' was released in 1991. ?This was the period during which he was part of a quartet named 'DEL FERRO-VAGANÉE GROUP', with Dutch pianist Mike Del Ferro. In 1993, they recorded "INTRODUCING" And later on "DEL FERRO-VAGANEE GROUP LIVE".?During a 4 years period the quartet played a total of 125 concerts including the recording of 7 radio shows, 3 TV shows, 2 CDs, concerts in Dubai (UAE), festivals in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, a series of concerts for ' Jeugd en Muziek Vlaanderen' (Youth & Music in Flanders), a tour with American saxophonist Harold LAND and another with jazz singer Carla WHITE and numerous concerts in jazz clubs.
Frank Vaganée was also member of a trio with Philippe AERTS (double bass) and Dré PALLEMAERTS (drums). They performed at the 'EUROPEAN JAZZFESTIVAL' in Rabat (Morocco).
Frank is the leader and one of the contributing composersof the outstanding BRUSSELS JAZZ ORCHESTRA, a big band of 16 musicians. ?He was, in 1993, one of the founders. Since then, the band goes from fame to fame, collecting awards and praise and collaborations with Toots THIELEMANS, Bert JORIS, Kenny WERNER, Philip CATHERINE, Bill HOLMAN, Maria SCHNEIDER, Bob MINTZER, etc...
As of 1999, Frank is part of Nathalie LORIERS sextet. (Nathalie Loriers Trio + Extensions)?In 1998, a new group is born with saxophonist John RUOCCO, Italian bassist Rosario BONACCORSO and drummer Dré PALLEMAERTS.?They recorded the CD Frank VAGANÉE Trio feat. John RUOCCO : Trios.
"Frank Vaganée was mostly inspired by Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley and Ornette Coleman as well as by other instrumentalists, whom he studies in depth. He has blended all these influences into a personal style, marked by a marked technique, a total musical engagement, a passionate swing, intonation, tonality and well individual phrased melodies".
From 1987 to 1991, he taught at the Jazz Studio in Antwerp and from 1992 to 1994 at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam (Holland).?Currently (since 1993), he teaches at the Ghent Conservatory and at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven.
The critic Juul Anthonissen described him like this:?His most important sources of inspiration are Charlie Parker, Ornette Coleman, Lennie Tristano and other instrumentalists whose work he studied in depth. Inspired by all these influences, he created a personal style distinguished by an excellent technique, a total passion, a fantastic swing, an intonation and an individual tone, as well as pleasantly phrased melodies...?His solos are always recognizable... Frank Vaganée no doubt belongs to the party of great European saxophone players.
In 2001, Frank VAGANÉE received the Belgian DJANGO d'OR award.