After 10 years of concerts with his trio, and 2 cds with Hammond organist Arno Krijger (‘The End of certainty’ and ‘Grizzly’), Brussels saxophonist Toine Thys recorded his third album, ‘The Optimist’, in New York with some major names from Jazz and African music.

Desertions, snowstorms, cancelled flights, res and calendar issues; everything seemed to go against the creation of this new album.

They presented THE OPTIMIST in more then 15 countries through Europe, Africa and North America.

With unbeatable energy and optimism in the face of all the trials, Toine Thys finally managed to bring these magnificent musicians together in a New York studio to record this album.

The trio turns on the axis provided by Thys’ Hammond organ and music. The compositions, rooted in groove, are influenced by soul and African mu- sic.

Thys’ compositions evoke trips in West Africa (Lullabye of Gounghin and The Optimist), late nights after the Carnival celebrations in Binche (Masks & Feathers), the loss of his friend and singer Wassyl Slipack in Ukraine (Cosmic Wassyl) or are dedicated to hotheads