Mâäk is a Belgian avant-garde jazz band from Ghent. Formed in 1998, the ensemble was originally known as Mâäk's Spirit and consisted of Jeroen Van Herzeele, Laurent Blondiau, Salvatore La Rocca and Hans Van Oosterhout. The band released its debut recording, the live album Lives, in 1999. Their subsequent recording history featured the studio albums Le Nom du Vent (2002) and Al Majmaâ (2004), the latter of which featured the acts Gnawa Express de Tanger and Baba Sissoko. In 2010, the project was renamed Mâäk and the musicians performed on a tour across Africa following a residency in Benin. The ensemble’s recording history also featured the studio recordings 5 (2006), Stroke (2008) and Buenaventura (2013). The band subsequently issued the studio recordings Nine (2014) and MikMääk (2015). During its career, the ensemble’s membership has included Michel Massot, Jean-Yves Evrard, Otti Van Der Werf and Eric Thielemans.
