With an energized mix of jazz, soul, rock & funk, Belgian bassist Piet Verbist's Zygomatik takes the classic, mostly acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation to new places. (c) Allaboutjazz

With an energized mix of jazz, soul, rock & funk, Antwerp, Belgian bassist Piet Verbist's Zygomatik takes the classic, mostly acoustic jazz quartet instrumentation to new places on the band's debut recording. The core trio of Verbist, drummer Herman Pardon, and Bram Weijters on Fender Rhodes, is joined by three saxophonists - Matt Renzi and Fred Delplancq on tenor, Vinicent Brijs on baritone- as they slip and slide through a set of eight joyous originals. A Staple on the European jazz circuit for many years, Verbist's deep sense of groove, time, and harmonic interest have made him a favorite of touring international artists and the many Belgian groups he's toured the world with over the last 20 years.

The name Zygomatik is derived from Latin: Zygomaticus Major and Zygomaticus Minor. These refer to muscles in the human face that are responsible for facial expression. In French, "zygomatique" is used in everyday language to refer to smiling and/or laughing.