​​Besides his own quartet, Gert-Jan Dreessen is active as a sideman and invited musician in a wide range of projects across contemporary jazz, composed music and improvisation.

​

He is regularly invited by artists and ensembles for his strong sense of time, sound, interaction and form, moving naturally between written material, open improvisation, groove-based music and large ensemble work. His work has brought him to clubs, festivals and concert halls across Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico and South Africa.

​

Main project

​

Gert-Jan Dreessen Quartet
Original music with Jean-Paul Estiévenart, Bram De Looze and Cyrille Obermüller.

​

As sideman / invited musician

​

Flat Earth Society Orchestra (FES)
Large ensemble work, international touring and co-composition.

​

Orson Claeys — Othello

​

Attilio Sepe Group

 

Stefan Bracaval — Zilt

 

Cedric De Lat Quintet

​

Thomas Decock Group

 

Tomer Cohen Trio / Quartet feat. Shai Maestro

 

Karel Cuelenaere Trio (KCTIII)

 

Jeroen Reggers Quartet

 

Stijn Kuppens — Dialogues

​

Ping O.D. feat. John O’Gallagher

 

FONS. feat. Logan Richardson

 

Original / compositional work

Gert-Jan Dreessen — Dimensions (2023)

Suite originally composed for jazz quintet and string quartet.

​​

Gert-Jan Dreessen — Between Motion and Stillness (2025)
Suite and solo project commissioned by ZOG Genk.

​

Selected freelance collaborations

As a freelance drummer, Gert-Jan Dreessen has performed and collaborated with artists including Jacky Terrasson, Rotem Sivan, Nduduzo Makhathini, Jef Neve, Bert Joris, Logan Richardson, Jakob Bro, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Nic Thys, Joshua Redman, Shai Maestro, Frank Vaganée, Bart Defoort, Nathan Wouters, Wajdi Riahi, Laurent David, Max Light, Kris Monson, Pablo Menares, Sam Gerstmans and Helena Casella.​