Jeanfrançois Prins

Jeanfrançois Prins (born 18 February 1967) is a Belgian jazz guitarist, composer, vocalist and record producer. He has spent many years between New York City and Berlin where he was leading the Jazz Guitar departments in both music universities (UdK and HfM Hanns Eisler) for a total of 12 years. Upon his return to Belgium in 2016, he became the CEO of the GAM Records label in 2017.

Career Jeanfrançois Prins began playing guitar when at eighteen years of age. A year later, he formed a band and performed in Brussels. His mentor was Toots Thielemans, who was known worldwide as a harmonica player but has started his career as a jazz guitarist. Other influences of Prins include jazz artists Lee Konitz, Miles Davis, and Kenny Werner.

Prins graduated from college in Brussels with a degree in audio engineering. From 1988 to 1992, he studied jazz and guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Brussels. Prins moved to New York City in 1993, he became a part of the contemporary jazz scene, to include vocalist Judy Niemack, who would later become his wife. He was the arranger/producer and guitarist for several of her albums. He now lives in Brussels with his family.

Prins has performed live and recorded with Toots Thielemans, Randy Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Gary Foster, Fred Hersch, Billy Hart, Tim Hagans, Lew Tabackin, Lee Konitz, Mal Waldron, Theo Bleckmann, Kenny Wheeler, Gary Bartz, Victor Lewis, Cameron Brown, Jay Clayton, Jay Anderson, Ray Drummond, Adam Nussbaum, Kelvin Sholar, Kirk Nurock, Jiggs Whigham, Jim McNeely, Walter Norris, Stephen Scott, Quincy Jones, Ivan Lins, Patti Austin, and Kirk Lightsey. Since 2000, he has worked with the Berlin Jazz Orchestra. Avant un Rêve with Charles Loos and Sébastien Walnier (GAM, 2018) Blue Note Mode with Danny Grissett, Jay Anderson, E.J. Strickland, + guests Jaleel Shaw, and Jeremy Pelt (GAM, 2024)

As sideman With Lee Konitz 1993 Rhapsody 1996 Rhapsody, Vol. 2

With Judy Niemack 1992 Straight Up: with Toots Thielemans, Jeanfrançois Prins, Kenny Werner, Scott Colley, Adam Nussbaum, Peter Eldridge, Theo Bleckmann, Mark Feldman, Café, 1996 Night and the Music: with Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, producer), Kenny Werner, Ray Drummond, Billy Hart, Erik Friedlander, 2002 About Time: with Lee Konitz, Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, producer), Eddie Gomez, Café 2007 Blue Nights: with Gary Bartz, Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, producer), Jim McNeely, Dennis Irwin, Victor Lewis, Don Sickler 2009 In the Sundance: with Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, vocals, producer), Bruce Barth, Rufus Reid, Bruno Castellucci 2023 Voices in Flight: with Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, producer), Jay Clayton (musician), Jay Anderson, John Di Martino

As guest artist 1991 Make Someone Happy --- Mary Kay, with Toots Thielemans, Jeanfrançois Prins (guitar, producer), Jean Warland, Nathalie Loriers, Dré Pallemaerts, 1993 Just friends --- (Michel Herr & Archie Shepp) (movie soundtrack) 1994 Waitin' for You --- Richard Rousselet 2004 Update (44 Records) --- Berlin Jazz Orchestra 2008 And So Am I --- Darmon Meader 2012 Boo Hoo--- Ulli Jünemann 2013 Duology --- Stéphane Mercier 2013 Ornette et Cetera --- Uschi Brüning, Michael Griener, Ernst-Ludwig Petrowsky 2018 My Voice is My Plea --- Maria Palatine 2021 Songs of Berlin (GAM Music) --- Berlin Jazz Orchestra 2022 Belgian Jazz All Stars - Mixology live --- Stéphane Mercier 2023 Le Pouvoir des Mots (Unlimited Music France) --- Sarah Lancman