Pianist-Composer, Marc Matthys, born in Ghent in 1956, was attracted to music from a very early

age. He made his first steps on the international music scene in 1964 when he won an European title

at the Accordion Competition of the “Communauté Européenne de l’Accordéon” in Paris.

His love for the accordion led him to the piano and in 1979 he completed his classical training at the

Royal Conservatory of his hometown Ghent. There he obtained the highest degrees in Piano and

Chamber-Music and first prizes in Counterpoint and Fugue.

He then went on to become one of Belgium’s most versatile musicians, at ease in both Classical

music, Jazz and Pop. He collaborated with various well-known artists such as Shirley Bassey, Toots

Thielemans, Eddie Daniels, Neeme Järvi, Dirk Brossé, Aga Winska, Ali Ryerson, Peter Verhoyen,

Rudolf Werthen, Walter Boeykens, Jo Lemaire, Leen Persijn and many others. He also performed at

the Belgian Royal Palace, for the BOIC, the World Fare in Shangai and the NFA Convention in Las

Vegas to name but a few.

Marc Matthys has realized more than 30 CD’s and 2 DVD’s and has toured in Europe, Russia, China

and the USA. He has written over 70 compositions including chamber music, solo pieces, work for

larger orchestras, etc. His music has won several prices (such as the KLARA Composition Contest of

2005 and BAP/SABAM Price for Jazz Themes) and has been performed by the Royal Philharmonic

Orchestra of Flanders, the Belgian National Orchestra, the Saint-Petersburg State symphony

orchestra, I Fiamminghi, Arco Baleno and many others.

He was director of the Kortrijk Conservatory between 1986 and 2016, and professor at the Royal

Conservatory in Ghent between 1978 and 2016, where he also founded the Jazz Department.

In 2012 he was named “Knight of the Order of Leopold” and “Officer of the Order of the Crown”.

Since 2013 he is also a board member the UBC (Union of Belgian Composers).

His latest musical project involves both his daughters Vanessa Matthys (Jazz singer) and Nathalie

Matthys (pianist) and renowned violinist Roby Lakatos. The project is entirely available on YouTube

and reflects Marc’s typical eclectic music approach.