Michel Herr

Belgian jazz pianist, composer, arranger.

Born in Brussels (B) on February 16, 1949, Michel Herr is active as a pianist, composer, arranger since the seventies, mainly on the jazz scene, but also writing for movies and various media. As a pianist, he played with numerous renown jazz musicians, such as Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, Johnny Griffin, Bill Frisell, Art Farmer, Archie Shepp, Zbigniew Seifert, John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Philip Catherine, Billy Hart, Pepper Adams, etc... He accompanied Toots Thielemans for almost 2 decades. He led his own bands (trio, quintet, nonet), in which he presented his own compositions. His discography includes more than a hundred albums, as a pianist or composer/arranger and producer.
In recent years, he refocused his activity on writing (compostions and arrangements). He wrote for large ensembles, a.o. : Brussels Jazz Orchestra, WDR Big Band, Metropole Orchestra, etc... He also wrote for projects which combine a jazz band with classical orchestras (strings, chamber and symphony orchestras, choir, etc...). He recently presented his "Positive tentet", music for sextet and string quartet.
He also wrote music for movies ("Just Friends") and television.