Rony Verbiest

Rony Verbiest was born in Zelzate, Belgium in 1956. His father was a talented accordion player who managed the famous pub "The Accordionist" in Zelzate. At the age of six, Rony started playing the accordion himself in the pub.
When Rony heard the music of Louis Prima, he was so overwhelmed by the sound of tenor saxophonist Sam Butera that he decided to start playing the saxophone. Rony studied the saxophone at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. While studying, he was auditioned with the Royal Ensemble of the Belgian Air Force and was hired. This started his career as a professional musician. After three years, he joined the orchestra of the "Gidsen". In the meantime, he developed a passion for jazz and soon his reputation was growing on the jazz scene, as he started playing in various jazz groups and big bands.
In 1990, he returned to his first love, the accordion, and, following a request from the Flemish folk singer, Johan Verminnen, started playing it again. Rony developed his own style on the accordion. He melted jazz with influences from classical and folk music and the tango.
In 1998 Rony recorded his first solo CD 'Ah Bah Joàt'. This was followed in 2001 by 'Caro Hum' with the crème of the Belgian music scene.
Currently, Rony is a member of the bands of Johan Verminnen and Jo Lemaire. He also has his own projects: a solo project, the Marc Godfroid – Rony Verbiest Duo, the Rony Verbiest Trio and Rony Verbiest ft. Cattleya.