Is born in Xhoris (in the Ardennes near Liège, Belgium) on augustus 4th 1955.
Very early, his family moved to Liège.
He started playing the guitar as selftaught since age 14.
Musician, his father teached him solfeggio and a few chords. He appeared with different groups of the region
on guitar and bass. First interested with rock and blues, he discovered jazz-rock and jazz in the seventies.
He studied jazz guitar at the Conservatoire de Liège with Bill Frisell, and after withSerge Lazarévitch
Also with Steve Houben, Richard Rousselet, Michel Herr
The meeting with Jacques Pelzer and later with Steve Houben will be decisive for his career.
Eighties
As a Professional musician, he starts to play in quartet and duo with Jacques Pelzer
(the two JP's, Open Sky Unit). They will play in most of the clubs and festivals in Belgium and foreign countries (Portugal, Italy, Holland, Germany) and with
some very famous musicians (Chet Baker, Jon Eardley, Woody Shaw, Barney Willem...)
The following years, he gets the opportunity to work with many Belgian and foreign jazzmen :
Guy Cabay, Steve Houben (tours in Zaïre in 1981, Singapore in 1988), Robert Jeanne,
Pierre Vaïana, Jean-Pierre Gebler (several concerts in Portugal), Jean Linsman,
Félix Simtaine, Bruno Castellucci, Philippe Aerts, Michel Hatzigeogiou, Freddie Deronde
Richard Rousselet, Michel Herr, Michel Graillier, Micheline Pelzer, Serge Lazarévitch,
Pirly Zurstrassen, Serge Ghazarian, Jon Eardley, John Thomas, Jean-Louis Rasinfosse,
Garrett List, Jean-Pierre Catoul...
And others, sometimes met at Jacques Pelzer's hippest place : Chet Baker, Dave Liebman, Dave Pike, Leo Mitchell , Barney Wilen, Lennart Johnson, Phil Woods, Woody Shaw...
In 1981, he's invited to the 3d "Festival International de Guitare de Liège".
In 1983, Steve Houben invites him for several concerts with "Steve Houben + strings".
In 1984, recording of the LP "Happy Few" in duo with Jacques Pelzer.
He recieves the prize of the sabam for his composition "Scarcity".
From 1982, concerts in trio with drummers Mimi Verderame, André Charlier,
Felix Simtaine, Leo Mitchell and bassists Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Philippe Aerts ,
Freddie Deronde, Benoit Vanderstraeten.
In 1987, he formes the fusion quartet "Artline" with André Charlier (Dr.), Benoit
Vanderstraeten (e. bass), Eric Legnini (Kb). He records the LP "Labyrinthe" which
will issue in CD in 1989 with Benoit Sourisse (Kb) and Yves Bodson (Ts).
In 1989, he records "Jokari" in trio with A. Charlier and B. Vanderstraeten.
The same year, recording of "Jean-Pierre Gebler Quintet" and "Héliotrope Quartet".
In the same time he makes his musician career, Jacques Pirotton starts to teach jazz :
First in the conservatoire of Liège (séminaire de jazz), in the académie d'Amay
and since 1988, he teaches at the conservatoire from Luxembourg.
In 1989, the teachers from the Luxembourg Conservatoire recorded the CD "Life Circles".
Nineties
The CD "Jokari" receives the "Sax 1990" for the best jazz CD given by the belgian jazz critics.
Many concerts in trio with A. Charlier and B. Vanderstraeten in Belgium and other countries
(festival d'Amiens, Nancy, Trier...).
In 1992, he records "Soty" with the same trio.
In the nineties, Jacques Pirotton is invited, for several jazz CD recordings:
"Modern Gardens" with Jean-Pierre Catoul in 1990.
"Stapler" with Phil Abraham in 1991.
"Simplement" compilation to the benefit of the Yugoslavian refugees in 1992.
"Héliotrope Big Bang" guitar concerto from Eric Gerstmans in 1993.
"Paysages Acoustiques" with Thierry Crommen and Jean-Pierre Catoul in 1994.
In 1993, recording of "Balades ou presque..." with Jean-Pierre Gebler Quartet.
In 1994, new 4tet with Stephan Kremer, Hugo Read, Lottar Galle or Gunnar Plumer.
From 1994, concerts in duo with Jacques Stozem : CDs "Connections" and
"Paysages Acoustiques".
From 1994 to 1996, recording of CD "Hommage à René Thomas" with almost all belgian jazz guitar players.
In 1995, création of the trio Steve Houben, Jacques Pirotton, Stephan pougin.
Concerts, festivals (Jazz à Liège, Audi Jazz).
Concerts at the expos in Sévilla, Lisbon
et Hannover. This trio records his first CD "We Can't Stop Lovin' You" in 1998.
In 1996, jacques Pirotton starts to play with the group "OCTURN".
Recording of 2 CD : "Ocean" in 1996 and "Round" in 2000.
In 1996, tour in Sarajevo (Yugoslavia.) with violonist Jean-Pierre Catoul.
Concert in duo at the 12th Sarajevo winter festival and in several clubs in the city.
Joins Erwin Vann 4tet with Dré Pallemarts (dr.) and Michel Hatzigeorgiou (e.bass).
From 1997, concerts with Sal Larocca 4tet with Peter Hertmans and Bruno Castellucci.
In 1997, tour with Octurn, concerts in New-York (Knitting Factory), Montréal jazz festival,
Junas (Fr).
In 1998, recording of "We Can't Stop Lovin' You" with the trio Houben-Pirotton-Pougin.
This CD received the award of "best jazz CD" in "Le Soir".
Tour in Czech republic with Félix Simtaine 4tet.
During these years, jacques Pirotton keeps on teaching in the conservatoire de Luxembourg,
and makes several summer workshops : "stage des Lundis d'Hortense", "stage de Rossignol".
2000...
In the years 2000, Jacques Pirotton keeps on developing his own projects and plays with Jean-Pierre Gebler, Kurt Van Herck, Steve Houben, Stephan Pougin,
Michel Herr, Jacques Stotzem, Guy Cabay, Phil Abraham, Sal Larocca, Stefan Kremer...
In 2000, recording of CD "Round" with Octurn.
In 2001, tour in Vietnam with Houben-Pirotton-Pougin trio.
Recording of CD "Meggie" with Jean-Pierre Gebler nonet.
In 2002, recording of CD "Naked in the Cosmos" with the BJO with the music of Kenny Werner.
Recording of "Latinéa" with Sal Larocca 4tet.
A new band : "Jazz Me Do", the Beatles revisited, eight jazz musicians play the musice from Lennon-Mc Cartney.
First try with "Houben-Pirotton INC". Jazz Festival in Liège with Stephan Pougin, Sam Gerstmans (bass) and percussionist Sidiki Camara ; concert filmed by rtbf.
In 2003, recording of "Old Woes New Wail" avec PHINC. (Pirotton-Houben Inc..).
For this occasion, accordionist Philippe Thuriot joins the band.
Recording of "Jazz Me Do Vol. 1".
Concerts in duo with Fabrice Alleman (clar.).
Cascaïs jazz festival (Portugal) with Jean-Pierre Gebler nonet
In 2004, recording of "On The Side Of My Street" with Guy Cabay 4tet.
Homage concert for Jacques Pelzer at the Liège jazz festival with Lee Konitz, S. Houben, M. Pelzer, B. Denolf.
Blue Note Festival in Gent with Kurt Vanherck trio.
In 2005, issue of "Old woes new wail" (PHINC..), concert for Audi jazz festival.
In 2006, recording of "Le Mariage" trio with Kurt Van Herck et Mimi Verderame : music of guitarist Karl Van Deun.
Recording of "Jazz Me do 2" with Jazz me do. Concerts in Paris and Santander festival (E).
Plays at the Blue Note Festival (Gent) with Michel Herr life lines.
In 2007, Jacques Pirotton joins Joe Higham's Al-Orkesta, and also T&T (Nic Thys, Toine Thys, Karl Januska).
Recording of the first CD of the trio "Piwiz Trio" : Pirly Zurstrassen, Barbara Wiernik, Jacques Pirotton.
Création of a new quartet : J. Pirotton, Fabrice Alleman (clar.), Benoit Vanderstraeten (e. b.) and Jan De Haas (dr.).
In 2008, recording of the CD "Parachute" (Igloo) with J. Pirotton 4tet.
Concerts at the jazz-marathon (Gr-Place), Brussel Summer Festival, Jazz in't Park (Gent).
Recording of CD "Where Are We Now ? " Joe Higham and Al-Orkesta.
Participation to the CD "Jazz Olympics" with Michel Herr & Life Lines.
In 2009, issue of « Parachute » Jacques Pirotton 4tet.
Concerts in Belgium, festival Jazz à Liège, Luxembourg Jazz Rally, concert in Paris
With guests Roby Glod and Lorenzo Di Maio, guitar festival in Larache (Marocco).
CD issue « Where Are We Now ? » with Joe Higham - Al-Orkesta and «Piwiz Trio».
Tour in Belgium with Al-Orkesta and Piwiz trio.
Concert "Live Compilation" at CC of Sprimont, concerts with Chris Mentens Jazz Van,
Concert at Motives festival in Genk « John Dowland music » with Chris Mentens (cb)
and Karel Schoofs (oboe). Duo Concerts with Roby Glod, Kieran Fahy, Robert Jeanne,
Steve Houben.
2010...
In 2010, concerts with the quartet Parachute, André Klénes - Moonly Delights (Gaume Jazz), Piwiz trio.
Concerts with Guy Cabay, Steve Houben, Roby Glo, Fabrice Alleman (duo), Kieran Fahy, Marc Mangen (Jazz Rallye Luxembourg).
Fabien Degryse, Peter Hertmans, Yves Teicher (tribute to Django)
Recording of the CD "The Emigrant's Lament" Kieran Fahy - Jacques Pirotton duo - Irish music.
In 2011, tour in Belgique with the quartet Parachute, "hommage à Django" and André Klénes quartet "Moonly Delights".
Concerts with Guy Cabay, Steve Houben, Roby Glod, Kieran Fahy, Sébastien Semal
Plays with the project "Les 100 Ciels" with Barbara Wiernik, Alain Pierre, Pirli Zurstrassen, Manu Hermia, Sam Gerstmans,
Fred Malempré, Yves Peeters.
Recording of teh CD "Stringly 612" in trio avec Stephan Pougin and Boris Schmidt and guests : Steve Houben (as) and Philippe Thuriot (acc.),
new compositions ans arrangements.
In 2012, release of the CD « Stringly 612 ».
Concerts with Moonly Delights, Steve Houben, Kieran Fahy, Marc Lelangue, Danièle Copus...
New band : Houben's Factory with Steve et Greg Houben, Sam Gerstmans, Antoine Pierre, Jacques Pirotton.
In 2013, concerts with "Stringly 612", festival de Comblain-la-Tour, Jazz Marathon ...
Concerts with Houben's Factory, invited at Brosella folk festival by the band Green Moon.
Concert with the band FOX (new jazz-rock).
To be continued...