Born in Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium, Piet studied solfege and 4 years classical double bass at the Academy of Ekeren and Turnhout. He also took lessons with John Clayton, Hein Van De Geijn, Ricardo Del Fra and studied at the Antwerp Jazz-Studio where Dave Pike, Dennis Luxion and Hein Van De Geyn were his teachers.

In 1994 he finished his studies at the Brussels Conservatory (Jazz department), and in 1995 he takes lessons with Dave Holland.

Piet is a highly demanded musician and played with the entire Belgian scene and many musicians touring around Belgium: Eric Legnini, Jacques Pelzer, Phil Abraham, Nathalie Loriers, Erwin Vann, Richard Rousselet, Stefaan Debevere, Michel Herr, Kris Defoort, Jack Van Poll, Erik Vermeulen, Frank Vaganee, Dre Pallemaerts, Ben Sluys, Kurt Van Herck, Jan de Haas, Luk Mishalle, Dirk Wachtelaer, Koen De Cauter, Dirk Vanderlinden, Jeff Gardner, Charles Loos, Matt Renzi, Jasper Blom, Edouard Ferlet, Phillipe Thomas, Mark Turner, Rob Van Kreefeld, the band Octurn, Toots Thielemans, Paolo Fresu, Bert Joris, Geoffrey Burton, Carmelo Muriel, Nono Garcia, Chad McCullough, John Bishop, Piotr Wojtasik, Matt Jorgensen etc. He toured for 8 years with the Jef Neve trio around Europe as well as to Japan, China and Canada.

At the moment he’s active with François Descamps Quartet, JDH (Jan de Haas) Band, Cezarius Gadzina Saxafabra, Michel Paré quartet, Ancesthree (Ben Sluys/Hendrik Braeckman), Vanishing Pictures, Carmelo Muriel, The Jazz Station Big Band…

Piet leads his own band: “Zygomatik” with Herman Pardon (drums), Bram Weyters (piano) and different saxofonists Vincent Brijs, Fred Delplanq, Matt Renzi (USA), Jasper Blom (NL), Jeroen van Herzeele or Cezariusz Gadzina (PL). In this project jazz is mixed with rock, soul and funk.
For the moment 2 ZYGOMATIK CD’s ar released on Origin Records (Seattle, USA).
“Zygomatik” was released on February 21, 2012 and “Zygomatik Cattitude” on November 18, 2014.

Piet is teaching at the Conservatory and at the Art Highschool of Antwerp.

Piet Verbist: Origin Records Artist