© Jan Van Hecke
Joachim saerens (jsrns)
KEYBOARDPLAYER – SONGWRITER – PRODUCER
Belgian keyboard player, songwriter, and producer with a Master’s degree in jazz and contemporary music (LUCA School of Arts). Since 2010 he has been Selah Sue’s keyboard player, co-writer, and co-producer, performing at festivals like North Sea Jazz, Glastonbury, Rock Werchter, and Montreux. Beyond Selah Sue, he has collaborated with artists such as Bai Kamara Jr., Manou Gallo, and Poldoore, and develops his own projects (HRNS, Blackdive, The Ark of Joa). His work bridges jazz, soul, electronica, and alternative pop, exploring the interplay between live performance and sound processing.
NEWS
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HRNS on Kiosk Radio – Unburdened Bones
I recently played a one-hour guest set on Kiosk Radio in Brussels, joining Lazzaro’s “Unburdened Bones” show. The mix drifts between ambient, free jazz, experimental electronics and a few tracks that inspired our work with HRNS, and it closes with two unreleased pieces from our upcoming album TAWAZUN, including our forthcoming single “MITAKUYE OYASIN”. The full show is available to listen back via Kiosk Radio’s SoundCloud.
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SELAH SUE: As One — our first live album
We closed the Persona tour in Leuven and captured the night. As One is our first live album—an immersive concert film with exclusive performances, behind-the-scenes moments, and intimate interviews. Available Dec 5 on digital, double vinyl, and CD/Blu-ray.
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SELAH SUE – HARLEY DAVIDSON
We reimagined Brigitte Bardot’s “Harley Davidson” with the band for the documentary—modern, powerful, sensual, charged. Out now on all platforms.
GIGS
© Koen Bauters
PROJECTS
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SELAH SUE
I began on stage as the keyboard player in Selah’s first live band, and gradually moved into writing and production—marking a milestone with the 2022 album Persona. From the start, it’s been a rollercoaster around the world in many shapes—from trio (keys and cello) to full band with some of Belgium’s finest—plus orchestra projects, special collaborations, and sessions with renowned producers. As Selah’s musical—and life—partner, I keep pursuing an organic blend of jazz, soul, and electronics in service of the song.
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HRNS
HRNS is an experimental electro-ambient duo by Joachim Saerens (keys/electronics) and Bert Hornikx (drums/electronics). We build organic, layered improvisations where jazz sensibilities meet electronic textures and sound design. With Martijn Pillards’ live projections, the show gains a cinematic edge. Our debut—featuring Robin Verheyen on sax—was released on 6de Kolonne and is now on all platforms; press called it poetic, mysterious and adventurous. New release coming soon!
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BLACKDIVE
Blackdive is a duo by Joachim Saerens and Bart Borremans (saxophonist/beatmaker). We craft organic, jazzy lo-fi beats where warm harmonies, dusty drum aesthetics and live sax textures meet hip-hop, electronic music, spiritual jazz and bossa nova. The project blends live instrumentation with sample-like sound design—grooves built for late-night listening and head-nod energy. New material and remixes incoming.
© Koen Bauters
about
Joachim Saerens is a Belgian keyboard player, songwriter, and producer with a broad international career. He studied jazz and contemporary music at the Lemmens Institute (now LUCA School of Arts) and obtained a Master of Music degree in 2003. During this period, he co-founded the group Orvalectiq with (now internationally renowned saxophonist) Robin Verheyen, featuring, among others, Pierre Van Dormael (an influential figure in Belgian jazz) and Dré Pallemaerts (internationally acclaimed drummer)—an early experience that taught him to connect genres and generations.
Since 2010, he has been the regular keyboard player, co-writer, and producer for Selah Sue, with whom he has performed worldwide at venues and festivals such as North Sea Jazz, Rock Werchter, Rock in Rio, Glastonbury, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. As co-writer of the single This World (2011), he contributed to her international breakthrough. He also co-wrote songs on Reason (2015) and was her right-hand partner on the album Persona (2022).
In addition, he has collaborated with artists such as Bai Kamara Jr., Manou Gallo, Poldoore, and Fred Gata. He developed personal projects including HRNS (experimental electro-ambient) and Blackdive (jazzy lo-fi beats), and he is currently working on founding his own band, The Ark of Joa. He was also pianist in the theater production Moscow by the collective Berlin.
His practice is nourished by regular participation in the Voodoo Sessions at Café Des Arts (Antwerp), a laboratory for improvisation where musicians from different generations and musical backgrounds come together. He combines strong live experience with creative studio credits and positions himself at the crossroads of jazz, soul, electronica, and alternative pop.
As a musician/producer, he seeks cross-pollination between genres and explores how live sound processing can intertwine with an organic live performance.