Steve Houben
Born in 1950 in a musical family – his mother is a classical pianist, his father an amateur jazzman-, but it is another family member, and a celebrity, saxophonist Jacques Pelzer who introduces him to jazz and will have a strong influence on his career. Together they will found the band OPEN SKY UNIT.
In the mid seventies, he attends courses at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. On return to Belgium he creates, with Henri Pousseur, the Jazz Seminar at the Liège Conservatory. During the same period, he brings over to Europe some US musicians and forms the groups Solstice first, then Mauve Traffic (with Bill Frisell, Greg Badolado, Michel Herr…) with whom he worked in Europe and released the album “Oh Boy” (MD).
He played with some legendary names like Chet Baker (he recorded with him), Mike Stern, George Coleman, Gerry Mulligan…
Steve HOUBEN also showed great interest for world music from various corners of the planet : he is a member of the Belgian / Tunisian ensemble ANFASS, recorded their CD and played numerous concerts with that band in Europe and Tunisia.
He recorded some 15 albums as a leader, and appears on numerous albums as a sideman.
Steve Houben, an open, cultivated and curious mind, has approached many musical contexts and styles (jazz, fusion, classical music, world music, …) with considerable talent and conviction.
