JEAN KLUGER

For many years, the activities and objectives of the Fondation Bell'Arte have been dear to Jean Kluger. The master-classes organised by the Foundation are always for him an opportunity to meet young musical talents whom have come from around the world. Since September 2015, he is the president of the pedagogical program: The International Certificate for Piano Artists (ICPA).

Jean Kluger was born in Antwerp, Belgium. He began his career as a music editor with his father, Jacques Kluger, at the World Music Company. At World Music Company, he worked internationally with musicians from including: Ray Martin in England; André Popp, Jean Bouchety, Claude Bolling and, Francis Lai (1rst album of Pierre Barouh) in France; Digno Garcia (Los Paraguayos) in Paraguay;

Walter Scharf (BOF Harold Lloyd) from America.

He participated to the recordings of celebrated classical musicians such as Alexis Weissenberg, Naum Slusczny, Reg Owen (Manhattan Spiritual). In 1960 he was acclaimed with the groups The Cousins (Kili Watch) and Los Mayas (La Playa); he also became the producer of Robert Cogoi (Si un Jour). In '64 he founded the Editions Jean Kluger in Brussels where he worked lenghtily with Dutch artists such as:

Will Tura, Johan Verminnen and Marva.

Three years later, he opened in Paris with his wife Huguette Ferly, the Bleu Blanc Rouge Editions which experienced worldwide acclamation with the Casatschok. He edited the film music of Borsalino, written by Claude Bolling and created with him the group Les Parisiennes (Il fait trop beau pour travailler). With Daniel Vangarde he wrote the lyrics and music for the songs of the Compagnie Créole, Ottawan, Gibson Brothers and many songs for Petula Clarck, Dalida, Claude François and others.

His musical eclecticism encompasses the tango of Gustavo Beytelmann, Thierry Caens' trumpet

and through some of the greatest Belgium musicians: Toots Thielemans and Philip Catherine.