In 1984, Kris Goessens attends the summer course in Dworp. In the meantime he also studies at the “Jazz Studio” (Antwerp). As of 1988 he studies with Rob Van Kreeveld (piano) and Bob Brookmeyer (composition). In 1994, he graduates from the Conservatory of Rotterdam (Holland). He also participated in clinics with pianists Kenny Werner, Jim McNeely, Monty Alexander, Bill Mays, Marcus Robberts. During the following years, he plays with Belgian musicians a.o. Dré Pallemaerts, Bert Joris, Félix Simtaine, Jean-Louis Rassinfosse, Philippe Aerts, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Daniel Romeo,Salvatore La Rocca, Stéphane Galland, Kurt Van Herck.
He also played with a number of foreign musicians like Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, Mike Mainieri, Joe Lovano, Gary Peacock, Adam Nussbaum and John Engels. In 1990, he opens for Michel Petrucciani with the Patricia Beysens Quartet at “Jazz Jamboree Festival” in Warsaw (Poland). In 1992, he plays in duo with US trombone player Bob Brookmeyer, and also will be a member of his quartet with Riccardo Del Fra (double bass) and Dré Pallemaerts (drums). They recorded a CD (on Challenge Records) that received a FNAC Prize in France. Since 1993, Kris Goessens plays with the Kurt Van Herck group All The Way(electric band). They also formed the Kurt Van Kerck-Kris Goessens Quartet (acoustic band). The band appeared a.o. during the Jazz Middelheim festival ’97 in Antwerp.
Kris Goessens appears on Kurt Van Herck’s CD Another day, another dollar (1996) (Igloo Igl 120). He is also present on the big band CD (rec. ’97, released ’99) of US trombonist/composer/arranger Bob BROOKMEYER, “Bob Brookmeyer New Art Orchestra” (Challenge CHR 70066). He also plays with the quintet of bassist Sal La Rocca (CD Latinea).
