"Musically the duo evolves into a mixture of soft jazz/acoustic guitar and "French song", but all this is relatively accessible, sometimes a bit sharp."
Jazzmania, 01-2-2022The Cologne based Haesen & Breidenbach is a jazz / chansons françaises duo consisting of vocalist Charlotte Haesen and guitarist Philip Breidenbach. Together they effortlessly combine jazz, indie-folk and other musical influences from all over the world into their own heart felt and authentic sound. Haesen & Breidenbach continue to perfect their ability to compose mind bending music and taking their listeners on an unexplored musical journey around the world. Knowing each other for more than fifteen years, it is only in 2019 that Haesen & Breidenbach join forces and start writing music as a duo. The two composers find inspiration in the story telling aspect of music and the cultural baggage it carries. Their first EP ‘Autour du monde’ was released in May 2019 followed by a single to be released in October 2020 and an album in the autumn of 2021 on Challenge Records international.
With her crystal clear voice, Charlotte Haesen (born 1987) has already won several prizes, including the "Eu Jazz Award" or the "Concours de la Chanson" of the Alliance Française. In 2010 she completed her jazz vocal studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam. The german radio station Bayerischer Rundfunk named her last CD "Du bout des yeux" one of the most interesting albums of 2018. Today the international press calls her the "(...) future glimmer of hope for jazz from this region" (- JAZZISM)
Philip Breidenbach (born 1985) starts playing the guitar at the age of eight and graduated from the Maastricht Conservatory in jazz guitar in 2009. To this day he has worked as a guitarist, composer and producer on more than 30 CD productions of various genres and travels the world as a performing musician.
Charlotte Haesen ist eine niederländisch-französisch-burundische Sängerin, begleitet wird sie von dem deutschen Gitarristen Philip Breidenbach.
Die Welt von Haesen & Breidenbach kennt keine Grenzen.Known to be active in various musical genres, the singer Charlotte Haesen reaches her listeners with her authentic performance and storytelling, her unmistakable timbre and her incredible musicality. She has won the EuJazz Award, the public price at the 28th Concours de la Chanson Alliance Francaise and received several rewards for her videoclips. Being a uniquely versatile artist, Haesen has performed with different formations at festivals and stages in over 15 countries worldwide.
Born in Amsterdam, she has origins from France, The Netherlands and Burundi. She grows up at the border between French speaking Belgium and The Nederlands. She studies jazz singing at the Maastricht Conservatory and the Amsterdam University of the Arts.
Charlotte currently focuses on two main projects: Café des Chansons and her duo with guitar player Philip Breidenbach: Haesen & Breidenbach.
Philip Breidenbach (Guitarist, Producer, Mixer, Composer and Musical Director)
Born in Aachen, Germany in 1985, Philip Breidenbach’s musical journey began at the age of seven when he took his first guitar lessons. Captivated by the world of sound, he quickly expanded his musical horizons, experimenting with drums and piano by the age of ten, thanks to the fortunate access to a variety of instruments at his home. This early exposure to various musical styles set the foundation for his exceptional versatility as a musician.
After sixteen years of dedicated study, Philip graduated from the Conservatorium of Maastricht, Netherlands, in 2009, where he not only refined his technical skills but also immersed himself in a wide variety of musical genres. Known for his remarkable adaptability, Philip's guitar playing effortlessly spans classical, jazz, rock and experimental music. His deep understanding of harmony and rhythm allows him to bring a unique flavor to any genre, making him a standout musician in both live performances and studio recordings.
Philip’s guitar technique is distinguished by its precision, emotional depth, and creativity. Whether performing intricate fingerpicking patterns or delivering soulful solos, his command of the instrument is unparalleled. He has become known for his ability to seamlessly blend different guitar styles, creating a rich and dynamic sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. Philip’s versatility on the guitar allows him to play across genres with a rare fluidity, making him a sought-after collaborator for a wide range of projects.
Alongside his work as a guitarist, Philip has excelled as a producer and mixer, shaping soundscapes that elevate the emotional impact of every track. His production career, which began as a personal passion, has grown into a profession, leading to engagements with a variety of artists and projects. His meticulous ear for detail and technical expertise ensures that every recording, whether in the studio or in the live performance context, reaches its fullest potential.
Philip has also showcased his musical talents in live performances on TV shows, where he has performed alongside a variety of artists and musicians, contributing his dynamic guitar work to high-profile broadcasts. His ability to adapt to the live TV environment has solidified his reputation as a versatile performer, capable of delivering powerful musical moments in fast-paced and demanding settings.
As he progressed in his musical career, Breidenbach also made a significant mark as a musical director in the world of theatre. His ability to seamlessly blend different musical genres and his deep understanding of the emotional power of music allowed him to bring a unique flair to theatrical productions. His work as a musical director has been widely praised for its creativity and its ability to enhance the storytelling in each performance, adding a new dimension to the theatrical experience.
Philip’s live performances are a true testament to his musical skill. One of his greatest joys is touring—his guitar work and musicality have taken him to various corners of the world, where he connects with audiences and fellow musicians alike. Although he thrives working behind the scenes, there is nothing quite as fulfilling to Philip as performing on stage. He looks forward to continuing to share his music with the world for many years to come.
Whether on stage as a dynamic performer, in the studio as a master of mixing and production, or leading musical direction in theater, Philip Breidenbach combines his deep passion for music with his extraordinary versatility as a guitarist. His ability to shape sound in a variety of settings makes him a standout figure in the music industry.
Known to be active in various musical genres, the singer Charlotte Haesen reaches her listeners with her authentic performance and storytelling, her unmistakable timbre and her incredible musicality. She has won the EuJazz Award, the public price at the 28th Concours de la Chanson Alliance Francaise and received several rewards for her videoclips. Being a uniquely versatile artist, Haesen has performed with different formations at festivals and stages in over 15 countries worldwide.
Born in Amsterdam, she has origins from France, The Netherlands and Burundi. She grows up at the border between French speaking Belgium and The Nederlands. She studies jazz singing at the Maastricht Conservatory and the Amsterdam University of the Arts.
Charlotte currently focuses on two main projects: Café des Chansons and her duo with guitar player Philip Breidenbach: Haesen & Breidenbach.
Philip Breidenbach (Guitarist, Producer, Mixer, Composer and Musical Director)
Born in Aachen, Germany in 1985, Philip Breidenbach’s musical journey began at the age of seven when he took his first guitar lessons. Captivated by the world of sound, he quickly expanded his musical horizons, experimenting with drums and piano by the age of ten, thanks to the fortunate access to a variety of instruments at his home. This early exposure to various musical styles set the foundation for his exceptional versatility as a musician.
After sixteen years of dedicated study, Philip graduated from the Conservatorium of Maastricht, Netherlands, in 2009, where he not only refined his technical skills but also immersed himself in a wide variety of musical genres. Known for his remarkable adaptability, Philip's guitar playing effortlessly spans classical, jazz, rock and experimental music. His deep understanding of harmony and rhythm allows him to bring a unique flavor to any genre, making him a standout musician in both live performances and studio recordings.
Philip’s guitar technique is distinguished by its precision, emotional depth, and creativity. Whether performing intricate fingerpicking patterns or delivering soulful solos, his command of the instrument is unparalleled. He has become known for his ability to seamlessly blend different guitar styles, creating a rich and dynamic sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. Philip’s versatility on the guitar allows him to play across genres with a rare fluidity, making him a sought-after collaborator for a wide range of projects.
Alongside his work as a guitarist, Philip has excelled as a producer and mixer, shaping soundscapes that elevate the emotional impact of every track. His production career, which began as a personal passion, has grown into a profession, leading to engagements with a variety of artists and projects. His meticulous ear for detail and technical expertise ensures that every recording, whether in the studio or in the live performance context, reaches its fullest potential.
Philip has also showcased his musical talents in live performances on TV shows, where he has performed alongside a variety of artists and musicians, contributing his dynamic guitar work to high-profile broadcasts. His ability to adapt to the live TV environment has solidified his reputation as a versatile performer, capable of delivering powerful musical moments in fast-paced and demanding settings.
As he progressed in his musical career, Breidenbach also made a significant mark as a musical director in the world of theatre. His ability to seamlessly blend different musical genres and his deep understanding of the emotional power of music allowed him to bring a unique flair to theatrical productions. His work as a musical director has been widely praised for its creativity and its ability to enhance the storytelling in each performance, adding a new dimension to the theatrical experience.
Philip’s live performances are a true testament to his musical skill. One of his greatest joys is touring—his guitar work and musicality have taken him to various corners of the world, where he connects with audiences and fellow musicians alike. Although he thrives working behind the scenes, there is nothing quite as fulfilling to Philip as performing on stage. He looks forward to continuing to share his music with the world for many years to come.
Whether on stage as a dynamic performer, in the studio as a master of mixing and production, or leading musical direction in theater, Philip Breidenbach combines his deep passion for music with his extraordinary versatility as a guitarist. His ability to shape sound in a variety of settings makes him a standout figure in the music industry.
Musically the duo evolves into a mixture of soft jazz/acoustic guitar and "French song", but all this is relatively accessible, sometimes a bit sharp.
Jazzmania, 01-2-2022
Atmospheric guitar playing, perfectly supporting her vocals, nice modest percussion that gives body to the pieces, it makes this a pleasant album.
Nieuwe Noten, 24-12-2021
... Another jewel for me is "Alishan" composed by Gu Jiahui and Kin Qin Lán Shi, wonderful, this Asian flair, and here Charlotte Haesen proves how much emotional expression she has in her voice. All in all a wonderfully relaxing and decelerating album on a very high level!
Musikansich, 06-12-2021
... create small, pretty individual sounding song pearls, in which one dives only too gladly.
nrwjazz net, 19-11-2021
... pursue their search for love in an area of tension between jazz, chanson and indie folk in four
languages ...
virgin jazz face, 19-11-2021
Those who know the previous successes of the two artists, I do not need to encourage to listen to this album. Those who know them less, I recommend to make a cup of good coffee, cover yourself with a warm blanket and play this album. It's worth it, it's great!
jazzfun, 08-11-2021
... où est l'amour? is a little song wonder that captivates with its charm and originality.
Jazzthing, 01-11-2021
The album starts with the cheerfully hopping “Danse avec moi”, in which it immediately becomes clear what a great guitarist Philip is. In “Qui protège les marins ?” I again notice the quicksilver vocals of Charlotte, which also sounded so pleasant to my ears with Café des chansons.
Rootstime, 01-10-2021