© 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

  • The Ark Of Joa

    Excited to announce two concerts with my new project The Ark of Joa!

    – 5 November, Rataplan, Antwerp
    – 3 December, Hnita Jazz Club, Heist-op-den-Berg

    The Ark of Joa is my project to explore how live electronics can breathe along with a band, instead of locking it into click tracks and backing tracks. Live processing acts as an extra musician, and the whole band shares control over the technology. The sounds listen and respond in real time, creating a fluid landscape where jazz, IDM and alternative pop meet.

    With Dré Pallemaerts, Dries Laheye, Fré Madou and Bert Hornikx.

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© Koen Bauters

PROJECTS

  • The Ark Of Joa

    The Ark Of Joa

    Excited to announce two concerts with my new project The Ark of Joa! – 5 November, Rataplan, Antwerp – 3 December, Hnita Jazz Club, Heist-op-den-Berg The Ark of Joa is my project to explore how live electronics can breathe along with a band, instead of locking it into click tracks and backing tracks. Live processing acts as an extra musician, and the whole band shares control over the technology. The sounds listen and respond in real time, creating a fluid landscape where jazz, IDM and alternative pop meet. With Dré Pallemaerts, Dries Laheye, Fré Madou and Bert Hornikx.

  • SELAH SUE

    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.

  • HRNS

    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 single MITAKUYE OYASIN out now!

© 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.