Biografie

Tom Devaere (°1970) studied at the Royal Conservatory in Ghent in the class of Frank Coppieters. In 1995, he obtained the master's degree in double bass.

He was second laureate of the National Instruments Competition in Charleroi (1991).

During his studies, he took several master classes with Duncan McTier (London), Jeff Bradetich (Chicago), Frantisek Posta (Prague) and Josef Niederhammer (Vienna).

As a soloist he performed in the Divertimento Concertante by Nino Rota with the Symfonisch Jeugdorkest van Vlaanderen and in the concerto for double bass and orchestra in D by J.B.Vanhal with the Collegium Instrumentale Brugense. In 2006, as part of the Mozart Year, he performed the concert aria 'Per questa bella mano' KV 612 for bass, obligato double bass and orchestra. He was accompanied by Anima Eterna Brugge conducted by Jos van Immerseel.

His orchestral experience began with the European Union Youth Orchestra (1990-1992), the Youth Orchestra of a United Europe (Russia 1991) and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (1993), with which he has played with well-known conductors and soloists such as Claudio Abbado, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Vaclav Neumann, Riccardo Chailly, Maxim Vengerov and Victoria Mullova.

From 1990 to 2008 he was a permanent member of the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen where he led the double bass group from 1994 to 2003.

Tom devaere is also active in the world of early music. From 1993 to 2007 he was a permanent member of La Petite Bande (Sigiswald Kuijken) and from 1996 to 2014 of Anima Eterna Brugge (Jos van Immerseel). He was also a guest player with the Freiburger Barockorchester from 2000 to 2013. These ensembles have taken him to most countries in Europe, Japan, Russia, China, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, the United States and South Africa.

He has also collaborated with the Bach Collegium Japan, Il Gardellino, ensemble Explorations, Concerto Köln, the Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Norsk Baroksolistene, Oxalys, I Solisti and the Spectra ensemble.

In 2005, together with harpsichordist-composer Frank Agsteribbe and cultural managers Tomas Bisschop and Hendrik Storme, he founded the baroque orchestra B'rock.

In recent years, he has studied the life and work of his great uncle André Devaere (1890-1914), pianist and composer. More info on https://www.andredevaere.net