Thank you for everything, Steve: a tribute to a friend and a mentor

It is with deep emotion that we bid farewell to Steve Houben. More than just an exceptional musician, Steve was one of the faces of the Igloo family right from the start. 

A loyal companion, he left his mark on our label’s history with his radiant virtuosity. His name appears on 11 albums as leader or co-leader on our label, and he lent his talent to some twenty projects in total within our catalogue. This constant presence testifies to his insatiable curiosity and musical generosity. From the saxophone to the flute, he inhabited every note with rare clarity and depth.

We will remember the finesse of his collaborations: with Chet Baker, Richie Beirach, or his long-standing collaborators such as Charles Loos, Greg Houben and Jacques Pirotton. Every album recorded under our banner was, for him, a new conversation, conducted with a rigour and humility that commanded admiration.

Steve was not just a great artist; he was a friend, a mentor and a father figure to a whole generation of Belgian jazz musicians. His legacy lies not only in our sound archives, but in the integrity and spirit of all those he inspired.

Thank you for everything, Steve. Your music will continue to resonate through the corridors of Igloo and far beyond.