Carlo Mertens
Carlo Mertens is laureate of the National Music Competition of the Gemeentekrediet '87 and laureate of the National Instrument Competition '90. He obtained his diplomas in Ghent and Rotterdam.
The strength of Carlo lies in his specialization in different styles. He combines a permanent position as Trombone Solo with Opera Ballet Vlaanderen with his own brass section, with which he accompanies numerous national and international artists. He has been a member of the following classical ensembles: Chamber Brass Quintet Theo Mertens, Chamber Brass Quintet Art of Brass, and the Large Brass Ensemble Theo Mertens. He has worked as a regular contributor with Champ d’Action and has performed as a guest musician with, among others, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Brussels Philharmonic, Orchestra of La Monnaie, Schönberg Ensemble and many other ensembles.
In addition, he has collaborated with the Brussels Jazz Orchestra and many freelance jazz formations. He has also been a member of several legendary Belgian pop groups such as Blue Blot, Wizards of Ooze, Groove Mania, Clouseau, Will Tura, Natalia and Belle Perez. Carlo has made more than 100 recordings as a studio musician and with his own horn section “The Heavy Horns” for various artists including Claude Mauranne, Axelle Red, Niagara, Charles Trenet, Bruce Springsteen, Helmut Lotti, Ozark Henry, Kommil Foo, Raymond van het Groenewoud, Clouseau, Natalia, K3, Studio 100, Janez Detd and many others.
In ’99 he founded the Antwerp Mambo collective “El Tattoo Del Tigre” together with his brother-in-law Tom Hautekiet, which he musically led for 10 years. His horn section “The Heavy Horns” is one of the most requested pop brass ensembles in Belgium and has appeared on shows such as Steracteur/Sterartiest, Sterren op de Dansvloer, Op zoek naar Maria, The Voice and many other TV programs. As a result of the work of this section, the collective OTOMACHINE was born, in which he is also part of the core of this 15-piece Funk Big Band.
He has a duo “Harp & Bones” in which he brings a beautiful blend of harp and trombone together with Karen Peeters. He also teaches at the Kunsthumaniora of Brussels.
