Early Years and Classical Training

Ivan began traditional piano lessons at the age of ten and developed into a versatile musician. His interest in improvisation emerged as he later also took up the trumpet. The real turning point in his career came at seventeen when he discovered jazz – a moment that would determine his artistic direction forever.

A masterclass with Michel Herr, the pianist of Toots Thielemans, gave him the definitive certainty that jazz was his calling. This led in 1988 to six months of study at the Jazz Studio in Antwerp, followed by a year at the Royal Conservatory Rotterdam, where he studied under Rob Van Kreeveld, a recognized figure in Dutch jazz.

First Groups and Early Breakthroughs (1988–1992)

After his studies, Ivan played in various ensembles with American guitarist John Thomas, Italian trumpeter Gino Lattuca, and Belgian trombonist Phil Abraham. The latter project brought immediate recognition: in 1989 he won second prize at the International Jazz Competition at La Défense in Paris with Abraham’s group.

That same year he won first prize at Brussels Jazz-Rallye with Lattuca’s band – evidence of his rapid artistic growth. Inspired by these successes, Ivan formed the quintet Aftertouch in 1989 with friends: saxophonist Vincent Mardens, guitarist Patrick Deltenre, bassist Benoît Vanderstraeten and drummer Mimi Verderame. This ensemble played original fusion music and released an eponymous album in 1990 on B-Sharp Records.

From 1990 to 1992, Ivan toured extensively through Belgium, Germany and France with his own group, worked with Brazilian singer Marcia Maria, and had the privilege of opening for world-renowned artists such as Bill Evans, Didier Lockwood, Hermeto Pascoal and Mike Stern – experiences that considerably broadened his musical horizons.

First Albums and Compositional Identity

In 1992, Turquoise (B-Sharp Records) appeared with guitarist Patrick Deltenre, saxophonist Peter Vandendriessche, bassist François Garny and drummer Mimi Verderame – consisting primarily of Paduart’s own compositions, which underscored his growing need for artistic self-expression.

A year later came Illusions Sensorielles (Igloo), a more experimental project in which Paduart presented his personal blend of straight-ahead jazz, lyrical impressionism and Latin influences. This album was recorded with his regular trio: bassist Philippe Aerts and drummer Bruno Castellucci, augmented by guest appearances from percussionist Chris Joris, guitarist Patrick Deltenre and harmonica and accordion legend Richard Galliano, a protégé of tango composer Astor Piazzola.

These compositions earned Ivan the 1993 Nicolas Dor Prize for Composition at the International Jazz Festival of Liège – recognition of his unique artistic voice.

Collaboration on Prestigious Projects (1993–1995)

In 1993, Ivan toured through France as keyboardist for chansonnier Claude Nougaro, a cultural legend who had built his work in Paris. This collaboration was distinguished by its classical elegance and depth. During this period he also worked on his fourth album.

Time Gone By (AMC) was known as a more introspective work, recorded with his trio (Aerts, Castellucci) augmented by the warm, smooth trumpet and flugelhorn of Tom Harrell, and with guest appearances by guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay. In 1994 came Folies Douces (Igloo), again a collaboration with Piazzola-like accordionist Richard Galliano and guitarist Patrick Deltenre, in which Paduart continued his preference for compositional refinement and narrative music.

International Recognition: Toots Thielemans and Beyond (1995–1999)

A crucial moment in Ivan’s career came when he was invited in 1995 to tour internationally for two years with Toots Thielemans – the figurehead of European jazz, known for his harmonica, his humanistic approach and his role as a bridge-builder between traditional swing and modern expression. This close collaboration with his former mentor meant recognition at the highest level.

From this period resulted the album White Nights (Challenge Records), in which Paduart is heard on piano and keyboards, flanked by saxophonist Bob Malach and guitarist Philip Catherine, two former band members of Pat Metheny. Thielemans himself played harmonica on the track Ecoline.

After touring with Thielemans, from 1996 onwards Ivan concentrated almost exclusively on the trio format – a decision that would define his musical identity. With drummer Hans Van Oosterhout as a regular partner and various bassists, he experimented with different timbres and textures. This resulted in Clair Obscur (Challenge Records), a tribute to pianist Fred Hersch, one of Paduart’s most important sources of inspiration.

Mature Period: Trio Works and Orchestral Projects (1998–2005)

In 1998, Belgian Suites (Challenge Records) appeared, recorded after a three-week tour with saxophonist Bob Malach. This album demonstrated Paduart’s growing skill as a bandleader and his ability to create diverse musical textures. The rhythmic foundation was formed by Hans Van Oosterhout (drums) and Hein Van De Geyn (bass), though bassist Stefan Lievestro replaced them for later European tours through France, Denmark and Portugal in 1999.

An interesting episode followed when promoter Christian Debaere invited Paduart to arrange music for a special Belgian septet. This ensemble added alto saxophonist Steve Houben, violinist Jean-Pierre Catoul and guitarist Peter Hertmans to a rhythm section consisting of Paduart (keyboards), Lievestro (bass) and Van Oosterhout (drums), augmented by pianist Nathalie Loriers.

For the album True Stories (Igloo), international top musician Charlie Mariano (saxophone) was featured in place of Houben. This lineup toured throughout 2000 in Belgium, but the project ended abruptly and tragically: violinist Jean-Pierre Catoul was killed in a car accident in January 2001. This personal tragedy clearly influenced Paduart’s subsequent artistic direction.

After this period, Ivan returned to the trio, resulting in Trio Live (Omnivore/Virgin) of October 2001. This tour covered many European countries – Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium – with special guest Rick Margitza, the last saxophonist with Miles Davis, whose warm tone was perfectly complementary to Paduart’s restrained piano playing.

Further Growth and Solo Works (2001–2005)

The years around 2001–2005 saw Paduart regularly performing with various guest artists: Rick Margitza, Toots Thielemans (again), Toon Roos (Belgian trumpeter), Bert Joris (trombone), and singer Fay Claassen. This led to the album Still (A-records, 2001) with Rick Margitza, and the double CD Live A Night at the Music Village (Jazz ‘n Pulz), one of his most praised live recordings.

In 2003, Ivan toured extensively, working with musicians such as Fay Claassen, Nigel Hitchcock, Toon Roos, Tierney Sutton and Anita Wardell. With Philippe Aerts and drummer Dré Pallemaerts, he recorded Blue Landscapes for the Japanese label Videoarts Music – an album that emphasized his preference for introspective, tasteful playing.

Early 2004 saw Ivan planning projects with accordionist Richard Galliano and the Ensemble de musique nouvelle under the direction of Jean-Paul Dessy. He also played with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra and, once again, with Toots Thielemans at jazz festivals in Funchal (Madeira) and Porto (Portugal).

August 2004 marked an artistic turn: after a tour with guitarist Quentin Dujardin, he recorded Vivre (Arsisworld) – his first serious venture into world music, underscoring his artistic curiosity and flexibility.

May 2005 saw the release of his first solo album, Alone (Alone Blue Records), recorded in Porto (Portugal) and Genk (Belgium). This was an intimate work that presented Paduart’s ability as a soloist and melodic thinker. In June he toured in Macao with Rick Margitza and in Japan with his trio, where he made a live recording ‘A Night in Tokyo’ at the renowned Body and Soul jazz venue for the Japanese label Polystar.

Orchestral Ambitions and Intensive Collaborations (2006–2012)

In 2006, Ivan intensified his collaboration with accordionist Richard Galliano, performing in prestigious venues such as the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Sofia Jazz Festival and the Marciac Jazz Festival (where he also performed with bassist Richard Bona and percussionist Manu Katché).

In 2007, Paduart was given the opportunity to record 12 of his own compositions with the prestigious Metropole Orchestra under the direction of American conductor Jim McNelly. The orchestral arrangements came from top composers such as Michel Herr (his old mentor), Jim McNelly himself, Bert Joris and Paduart. The resulting double CD Crush was recorded live on December 12, 2008 in the Cirque Royal in Brussels – a highlight of his career.

Triumphs and Tributes (2011–2014)

In 2011, Paduart paid tribute to Michel Herr, the mentor who had set him on the right path thirty years earlier. HERRitage contained nine compositions by Herr, performed by Paduart, guitarist Philip Catherine, trombonist Bert Joris, saxophonist Toon Roos, bassist Philippe Aerts and drummer Hans Van Oosterhout.

During the same period, Ivan performed intensive tours with his trio. In December 2011, he gave five concerts with guitarist Sylvain Luc, and in January 2012 toured with his quintet featuring musicians such as Jeroen Van Herzele, Carlo Nardozza, Philippe Aerts and Joost Van Schaik.

May 2012 produced Ibiza (Mons Records) – nine original compositions recorded with Philippe Aerts and Hans Van Oosterhout, again his regular trio. This recording was followed by a tribute project: Plays Burt Bacharach (SEPTEMBER, 2012), recorded with saxophonist Bob Malach, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Clarence Penn. The session took place at the renowned Sear Sound studio in New York under engineer James Farber (known for his work with Michel Brecker, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock).

In 2013–2014, Paduart toured intensively with his trio, including at international festivals, promoting the Ibiza album. In February 2014, he released a revised version: Alone # (Quetzal Records), a remastered and remixed version of his 2005 solo album, supplemented with three additional tracks.

Also in 2014, he participated in the album by vibraphonist Jan De Haas, Dreams Ago (De Werf), together with bassist Sal La Rocca and drummer Mimi Verderame. In December of that year, he recorded: Enivrance – a trio album with nine original compositions recorded with Philippe Aerts and Hans Van Oosterhout.

Current Focus: Patrick Deltenre and New Horizons (2015–Present)

Since 2015–2016, Ivan has had an intensive collaborative partnership with guitarist Quentin Dujardin, bassist Richard Bona, percussionist Manu Katché, trombonist Bert Joris and saxophonist Olivier Ker Ourio, which resulted in the album Catharsis (Mons Records).

Since 2017, however, Ivan has focused almost exclusively on his collaboration with guitarist Patrick Deltenre – the same musician he worked with back in the 1980s. This artistic reunion has proven fruitful: together they have recorded three albums – Hand in Hand, Ear we are and Inner Travels – and have performed approximately 200 concerts throughout Europe.

These tours extended from Portugal to Russia and Ukraine, passing through France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Belgium. This ongoing collaboration proves that Paduart, now further along in his career, continues to seek authentic musical conversations and deep artistic connections.

Paduart’s artistic trajectory reflects a musician who continuously evolves: from youthful jazz enthusiast to mature composer, from group leader to intimate trio player, from traditional jazz formulas to experimental fusion languages. He remains a central figure in the European jazz scene, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Author: Jurgen Gudde

Discography (Selection)