Tuur Moens is a Belgian drummer and composer renowned for his versatility and distinctive musical voice. Drawing on a wide array of influences, including jazz, latin, African and Brazilian traditions, Tuur captivates audiences with his dynamic and soulful drumming. His powerful, expressive style has led him to collaborate with a variety of prominent artists and perform on major stages worldwide.

 

Born in Duffel, Belgium (1985), Tuur was immersed in music from an early age. His father, a blues enthusiast, played guitar and drums, while his mother’s love for world music exposed him to an eclectic range of genres. Tuur’s early musical education began with classical percussion at the music academy of Mechelen at age eight. His passion for rhythm was evident even before formal training, as he would experiment with improvised drum kits, from paper boxes to his father's drum set in the attic. By the time he was fifteen, Tuur was already playing concerts in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany with various ensembles, including a percussion duo.

 

Tuur continued his studies at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven and later at the Rotterdam Conservatory Codarts, where he focused on jazz and world music. During his time in Rotterdam, he participated in masterclasses with jazz luminaries like Richard Bona, Joshua Redman, and Horacio "el Negro" Hernandez, which helped shape his artistic development. Tuur's early career was marked by diverse collaborations, from Cameroonian singer Ntjam Rosie to Mozambican artist Neco Novellas. He performed with several artists at prestigious festivals, including the Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Womadelaide (Australia), the North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands) and Canarias Jazz y Más (Canarias, Spain) to name a few.

                                                                                                                                                     

In 2012, Tuur formed his own ensemble, Tuur Moens & Syndicate, an 11-piece band that showcased his abilities as both a composer and bandleader. The group’s debut EP, Clockwise, was released that same year, with the band performing at major events like the North Sea Jazz Festival. However, due to logistical challenges, the project was eventually put on hold in 2013. Around this time, Tuur’s compositional style began to evolve, incorporating new influences and ideas.

 

A pivotal moment in Tuur’s career occurred in 2012 when he met Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn. Through a collaboration initiated via YouTube, Tuur added drums to Hossn’s song “Tudo Bala”, marking the beginning of a longstanding musical and personal friendship (watch the video here). This connection opened doors to further collaborations with musicians from Brazil, Spain, Cuba, and beyond, and led to Tuur’s increased focus on composition.

 

Since 2014, Tuur has been composing more extensively, and his work has grown in coherence and identity. His compositions often reflect his diverse musical influences, blending intricate rhythms and textures with emotional depth. He has continued to perform with various artists, contributing to albums by Ntjam Rosie, Teus Nobel, and the Rogier Telderman Trio, while also expanding his role as a producer and arranger.

 

From 2016 until 2020 (covid period), Tuur was the regular drummer for Cape Verdean singer Lura, a collaboration that has opened new international opportunities. Tuur’s creative output continued to grow, culminating in the 2018 release of "Nebula", an album that he recorded with an international ensemble featuring João Frade (Portugal), Munir Hossn (Brazil), and special guest Jorge Pardo (Spain). The album, a reflection on the universe, underscores Tuur's growing voice as a composer and bandleader. In 2022 Tuur released another album “Rewind” together with his friend from Algarve (PT) João Frade (also accordion player for Fado singer Mariza). The concept of "Rewind", recorded between Albufeira (PT) and Rotterdam (NL) during the confinement period, owes much to the proximity allowed by technology. As a letter, Frade decided to send audio files and ideas along with some images collected during his recording to Tuur Moens, who immediately accepted the invitation, «because we both believe in resilience as a mandatory “tool” to make our world a better place», they say in the disc presentation notes. The process posed some constraints, especially «making the music sound “alive” and not something a little colder or less dynamic, which this type of context normally leads to», adds the accordionist. For this record Tuur and João collaborated with artists from all over the world. To name a few: Panagiotis Andreou, Yarel Hernandez, Léo Vrillaud, Jesus Bachi, Tony Grey, Nino Jazz, Luis Guerra, João Silva and more.

 

Tuur’s career is a testament to his adaptability and creative vision. He continues to perform extensively across the globe, playing with artists such as Teus Nobel Liberty Group, Naamu, Mariana Ramos, Jorge Pardo, Anabela Aya, Munir Hossn, occasionally with Marmoucha Orchestra, Antonio Lizana, Lucia Fumero and more… Next to live session work Tuur also works as a session recording artist with several producers. His ability to seamlessly navigate the worlds of jazz, fusion, and world music has made him a sought-after collaborator and a prominent figure in the international music scene.

 

Tuur remains committed to exploring new musical horizons and is always open to exciting new opportunities, continuously pushing the boundaries of his craft.