Matthias Heyman is a lecturer and researcher at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel (EhB), where he coordinates the research group “Jazz, Improvised Music & Popular Music.” At the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, he is Assistant Professor in (Performing) Arts and supervises PhD projects in Artistic Research. In addition, he teaches the courses of Music History Jazz at KCB..
Matthias Heyman studied classical and jazz double bass at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel and the Koninklijk Conservatorium Antwerpen, before pursuing his doctoral studies at the Universiteit Antwerpen. In 2018, as first in Belgium, he obtained his Ph.D. in jazz studies, and from 2019 to 2021, he was Postdoctoral Fellow for the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO). As a performer, Matthias has played under the baton of Jaap van Zweden, Anthony Hermus and Philippe Herreweghe (among others), and has shared the stage with Jef Neve, Bert Joris, Toots Thielemans, and many others.
He has given keynotes and presentations at numerous international conferences (e.g., Rhythm Changes, Jazz Education Network) and his work has been published in such journals as Jazz Perspectives and Journal of Popular Music Studies. Also, he co-edited a volume on the Beatles and humour (Bloomsbury). Currently, Matthias is preparing a monograph on jazz bassist Jimmie Blanton (Oxford UP). His research expertise lies in jazz bass history, historically informed performance in jazz and popular music, and the history of jazz in Belgium. Matthias’ website is https://www.mattheyman.com/.
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