Nathan Surquin – Trombonist/composer
Nathan Surquin is a Belgian trombonist active on both the Belgian and Dutch jazz scenes. He began his musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels under the guidance of Phil Abraham, before continuing his education in the Netherlands at Codarts, University of the Arts in Rotterdam. He obtained his Master’s degree there in 2019, studying with renowned trombonists such as Ilja Reijngoud, Bert Boeren and Andy Hunter, who profoundly influenced his approach to the instrument and helped refine his playing.
Highly active on the Belgian and Dutch jazz scenes, Nathan Surquin quickly established himself as a sought-after trombonist. He has collaborated with several distinguished orchestras, including the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw (Netherlands), the Nationaal Jeugd Jazz Orchestra, and the Jazz Station Big Band.
Throughout his career, he has had the opportunity to work with major figures in jazz and contemporary music. He collaborated with Aka Moon on the album Quality of Joy, joined the Nabou Claerhout Trombone Ensemble — a project bringing together some of the most promising young European trombonists — and shared the stage with soloists such as David Linx and Philippe Thuriot.
A regular member of the Loek van den Berg Quintet (Netherlands), Nathan has taken part in several international tours in India, Spain, Turkey and Malta, and continues to promote their second album, Seafarer, through concerts across the Netherlands.
Alongside this, he maintains a rich activity as a sideman, both in large-scale projects — such as with the French hip-hop group Chinese Man — and in more intimate settings, notably with the Ozain 4tet, with whom he recorded two albums. His career has led him to perform at numerous emblematic venues of the European jazz scene, including Flagey, the Bimhuis, Paradox Tilburg, LantarenVenster, the Sounds Jazz Club, the Jazz Station and the Hnita Jazz Club.
Nathan’s musical approach is guided by listening, exchange and a constant search for freedom of expression. He seeks to push stylistic boundaries and explore new sonic territories, both as a performer and as a composer. His trombone playing, at once fluid and dynamic, combines subtle melodic lines with bold improvisation.
On February 6, 2026, Nathan Surquin releases his first album as a leader under his own name, entitled Ambre. Performed with his quartet, the album explores the theme of encounters: those that happen during a journey or over a coffee, between people from different cultures and backgrounds; the meeting of two kindred spirits; or that between a father and his daughter.
Ambre reflects these moments of dialogue and shared experience that nourish us. The richness of the project lies in the diversity of its musicians, each bringing their own cultural influences. Coming from different horizons, they merge their backgrounds to create a coherent, deep and distinctive sound. It is this alchemy — this fusion of cultures, stories and experiences — that gives Ambre its unique voice.