Pirly Zurstrassen I New Quartet I New Music

live music
Written By Eknath Erwin Vann

I just got back home from a rehearsal with Pirly Zurstrassen’s new quartet “Les Alliances Terrestres”, featuring his son Felix Zurstrassen on double bass, Lionel Beuvens on drums, and myself on tenor.

While I was driving to the legendary B-Flat co-creation space in Brussels this morning I remembered all the good times playing Pirly’s music.

I was lucky to be part of Pirly Zurstrassen’s “H” Septet since 1987. We recorded the album “H” that year, and later in 1991 the album “Hautes Fagnes”, all with original compositions by Pirly. I’ve always loved his strong and clear personal voice.

In 1992, we played a series of duo concerts in Sénégal. At the time I was still playing soprano, as well as tenor.

I am as honored as I was back then to be part of his new quartet. And yes again, as always, the most beautiful compositions by his hand…

Looking forward to the first concert with this band, next Thursday 16 November 2023 at CC Saint-Ghislain, near Mons. Check out the “Upcoming Concerts” section for more details.

See you there!

Pirly Zurstrassen

Eknath Erwin Vann

Certified Sampoorna Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500) Eknath grew up in a vegetarian family, where nature and the respect for all beings was the daily theme song. In his teen years he got interested in yogic breathing techniques while practicing the saxophone. During his long career as a professional musician (a.k.a. Erwin Vann), Eknath practiced Tai Chi, Aïkido, Hatha Yoga, Chi Kung and meditation. He started practicing yoga regularly 1994. In 2008 – 2009, he participated in the 500h Sampoorna Yoga Teacher Training at Shri Yogi Hari’s Ashram in Florida. Eknath has been teaching weekly classes and workshops since then. He is co-founder of the Sampoorna Yoga Studio in Brussels. Furthermore, Eknath studied yoga for children with Marsha Wenig of YogaKids® (2010) and explores Yin Yoga and anatomy with Paul Grilley since 2011. He continues to visit his guru Shri Yogi Hari several times per year to deepen his personal practice and experience the fullness of Sampoorna Yoga.

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