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Tuur Moens

Tuur Moens is a drummer and composer, celebrated for his versatility, powerful groove, and distinctive musical voice. His playing, infused with jazz, Latin, African, and Brazilian influences, is dynamic and expressive.

About Me

Tuur Moens is a drummer and composer, acclaimed for his versatility and distinctive musical voice. Drawing from jazz, Latin-American, African, and Brazilian traditions, he captivates audiences with dynamic, expressive, and soulful drumming. His powerful style has brought him together with a wide range of renowned artists on stages all over the world.

Tuur grew up in a musical family. His father played guitar and drums, while his mother’s passion for world music exposed him early on to an eclectic variety of genres. From the age of three, he attended the Sfinks Festival in Boechout (BE) every year, where he witnessed legendary artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Salif Keita, Baba Maal, and Daniela Mercury. At eight, he began classical percussion studies at the music academy in Mechelen. His fascination with rhythm had already emerged: from makeshift drum kits made of cardboard boxes to his father’s drum set in the attic. By the age of fifteen, he was already performing internationally with various ensembles, including a percussion duo, in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.

Determined to make music his life’s work, Tuur continued his studies at the Lemmens Institute in Leuven and, in 2005, entered the Rotterdam Conservatory, Codarts (NL), focusing on jazz and world music. During his time in Rotterdam, he took masterclasses with world- class artists such as Joshua Redman, Richard Bona, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and Dave Valentin, which greatly shaped his artistic development. Even while studying, his professional career quickly took off: he collaborated with artists ranging from Cameroonian singer Ntjam Rosie to the Mozambican Novellas brothers.

In his second year, teacher Ben van den Dungen invited him to join the Dutch nu-jazz band State of Monc, touring in China, Brazil, Morocco, and beyond. Soon after, he performed at prestigious festivals including Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Ollin Kan Festival (Mexico), Borneo Jazz Festival (Malaysia), and Bangkok Jazz Festival (Thailand).

In 2009, Tuur received the Erasmus Jazz Prize in Rotterdam.

In 2011, Tuur founded his own 11-piece band, Tuur Moens & Syndicate, with musicians from Brazil, Germany, Greece, and Colombia. Their debut EP ‘Clockwise’ was released in 2012, followed by performances at major events such as North Sea Jazz Festival and Breda Jazz Festival. Despite its artistic success, logistical challenges forced the project into hiatus in 2013, during which time Tuur’s compositional style further evolved.

A turning point came in 2013 when Tuur connected via YouTube with Brazilian multi- instrumentalist Munir Hossn. After adding drums to Hossn’s song ‘Tudo Bala’ and posting it online, Hossn responded enthusiastically. This marked the start of a close musical and personal friendship. With Hossn’s projects, including ‘Made in Nordeste’, Tuur performed in Paris (Baiser Salé), Barcelona (Jamboree), Madrid (Café Central, Café Berlin,...), French festivals, and Mindelo Summer Jazz (São Vicente, Cape Verde). Through Munir Hossn, he joined a vibrant international community of top musicians from Portugal, Spain, Cuba, Brazil, Angola, and Morocco, including Jorge Pardo, Luis Guerra, João Frade, João Silva, Joaquin Sosa, Cra Rosa, Joel Hierrezuelo, Michael Olivera, Adriano DD and many more.

In 2015, he met Angolan producer Adilson “Nino Jazz” Tito Sousa, with whom he frequently collaborated remotely. He recorded drum tracks for ‘Kuameleli’, an album by Angolan singer Anabela Aya, and was invited to perform at its release show in Luanda. Around this period, Tuur also worked extensively as a session musician with various artists and projects.

From 2015 onwards, Tuur intensified his work also as a composer, developing a clear personal style: intricate rhythms and textures combined with emotional depth. He contributed to albums by Ntjam Rosie (Elle, At the Back of Beyond, The One), Teus Nobel (Journey of Man, Social Music, Pleasure is the Measure), and the Rogier Telderman Trio (Contours), while also expanding his work as a producer and arranger.

From 2016 to 2020, Tuur was the regular drummer for Cape Verdean singer Lura, performing at Bahia das Gatas (São Vicente, Cape Verde), WOMADelaide (Australia), Super Bock em Stock (Portugal), JazzKif (Kinshasa, DR Congo), WOMAD (Santiago, Chile), and on tours in Poland, France, and Portugal. In 2020, due to the pandemic, Lura chose to work with a Lisbon-based band, temporarily ending their collaboration.

In 2018, Tuur recorded his first full-length album of original compositions ‘Nebula’, inspired by a vivid dream about the universe set in his hometown of Sint-Katelijne-Waver. The album featured João Frade (accordion, PT), Thomas Maasz (piano, BE), and Munir Hossn (guitar & bass, production, BR), with special guest Jorge Pardo (flute, ES) on ‘Mr. Time’.

In 2022, he released ‘Rewind’, a collaboration with João Frade recorded during the lockdown in Albufeira (PT), Rotterdam (NL), and other locations. The project, made possible by remote technology, centered on resilience as a core value and featured artists from across the globe, including Panagiotis Andreou, Yarel Hernandez, Léo Vrillaud, Jesus Bachi, Tony Grey, Nino Jazz, Luis Guerra, and João Silva.

Today, Tuur remains active worldwide, performing with artists such as Teus Nobel, Naamu, Mariana Ramos, Assol Garcia, Jorge Pardo, Anabela Aya, Munir Hossn, Marmoucha Orchestra, Antonio Lizana, Lucia Fumero, Mehdi Nassouli, Aziz Ozouss, and many others. His ability to effortlessly navigate between jazz, fusion, and world music has made him a sought-after collaborator and a respected figure in the international music scene.

In 2024, he launched a brand-new project: the Tuur Moens Quintet, presenting compositions inspired by the period 2020–2024. In early 2025, the band recorded their upcoming album ‘Resilience’, set for release in fall 2025. The line-up features Álvaro Artime Jiménez (trumpet), Jesse Schilderink (tenor saxophone), Xavi Torres (piano), and Jeroen Vierdag (double bass & electric bass), with special guests Antonio Lizana and Morgana Moreno.

Tuur continues to explore new musical horizons, always open to exciting collaborations, and consistently pushing the boundaries of his craft.