Stefan Bracaval is a classically trained flutist who completed his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp in 1990. His fascination with the expressive potential of improvisation led him to explore jazz, where he became a self-taught jazz flutist.

In 1994, Bracaval collaborated with Ernst Vranckx to release the album Aquarelle, featuring his original compositions alongside John Ruocco and Bert Joris. This work earned them the SABAM “Prix Nicolas Dor” and included a Belgian radio broadcast with Kenny Wheeler.

In 2007, he independently launched the album Insight Inside.

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Together with jazz pianist Pierre Anckaert, Bracaval recorded several albums, including Pierre Anckaert Quintet & Brussels Chamber Orchestra (2010), 74 Miles Away (2011), Gear Change, and the duo album Woodworks (2014), which was part of the JazzTour LDH 2015. Their most recent collaboration, Ephémère, was released in 2023.

As a sideman, Bracaval contributed to projects with prominent jazz figures such as Charles Loos, Bert Joris, and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. He also participated in various ensembles, including "Wolf in the Wood" (Anne Wolf), "Musette is not Dead" (Anne Niepold), Bruno Vansina Orchestra (Jazz Middelheim 2014), and Lara Rosseel XL (Jazz Middelheim 2021, Brandfestival 2022). Additionally, he worked as a soloist and arranger with the VRT Radio Choir in 2016.

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Bracaval leads the Stefan Bracaval QU4RTET, which highlights the flute as a central jazz instrument and features new repertoire rooted in jazz traditions.

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Beyond jazz, Bracaval embraces diverse musical styles. He has collaborated with artists in the folk and world music scenes, including José Toral, Amparo Cortés, Chano Lobato, Najib Cherradi (Weshm), Abid Bahri & Arsis String Quartet (Rihla), Moufadhel Adhoum, MANdolinMAN, Jackie Oates, Robb Johnson, Fay Hield, Tim Eriksen, Martin Simpson, Nancy Kerr, Michel Godard, and Kevin Seddiki.

In the pop music world, he has performed as a flutist and multi-instrumentalist with artists such as Raymond Van het Groenewoud, dEUS, Hooverphonic, Jo Lemaire, David Poltrock (Savalas), Wigbert, Catherine Delasalle, Barbara Dex, Jan de Smet, Tom Pintens, Roosbeef, Guido Belcanto, and Liliane Saint-Pierre. With the crossover band Along A Line, he arranged pop songs by Aline Goffin for a classical chamber ensemble.

 

Bracaval has also contributed to studio recordings for film scores and commercials, as well as appeared in music-theater productions such as Koningin van de Nacht with Muziektheater Transparant & Flemish Opera and De Eenzaamheid van de Egel with LOD & Oxalys.

As an educator, he taught jazz flute at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp and harmony at Studio Herman Teirlinck. He authored Alle dagen zon! and developed Krullebol, a flute method for young children. Currently, he teaches at the PopJazz department of the Grimbergen Academy.