KAAP is bringing audiences back into De Werf from February 2026. The iconic Bruges club – birthplace of W.E.R.F. records and a landmark for Belgian jazz – has long remained active behind closed doors as a rehearsal and recording hub. Now, KAAP wants to share that creative energy with the public again, right where it all began.

The new series W.E.R.F. Records Invites will run throughout the season. Each edition features a release concert by an artist from the W.E.R.F. records roster, or from a kindred label in Belgium or abroad. At a time when digitalisation and commercial pressures have reshaped the earning model for jazz musicians, this series celebrates the persistence of independent labels – from W.E.R.F. records to Challenge, Edition,, We Jazz, BMC Records, International Anthem and more – whose dedication keeps contemporary creative music alive.

Every evening starts with a short onstage conversation, offering insight into the making of the album, the influences behind it, and the personal stories that drive the music. A full concert follows. Afterwards, the foyer turns into an informal social hub where audiences and artists can meet over a drink, continue the conversation, and discover music selected by the DJ or the musicians themselves.

With W.E.R.F. Records Invites, De Werf will once again act as a basecamp for artists, a beating heart for new productions, and a launchpad for discovery, where jazz tradition meets forward motion. The first event takes place on 6 February 2026, and the full programme will be announced on 9 December.

 

Additiona info: https://www.kaap.be/nieuws/er-klinkt-weer-muziek-de-werf