Born in 1974, studied jazz in Ghent at the Royal Music Conservatorium.

Freelance guitar player, leader and co-leader since 1993 in myriad projects: jazz, improvisational, pop, blues, Cuban, folk, New Orleans, roots, soundscape, bebop, theater music, classical, gypsy, avant-garde, tango, alternative rock,…

Combining a deep knowledge of classic and contemporary traditions with a unique and authentic, slightly disruptive voice.

Shared stages and studios with a mind blowing range of artists including alternative art rock band dEUS, classical upright bassist Ben Faes, American jazz trumpeter Dave Douglas, pop diva Axelle Red with her Nashville based Stax soul band, classical tango Orquesta Tanguedia, Belgian pop icons Raymond van het Groenewoud, Lady Linn, Kommil Foo...the list goes on.

His own pet projects, merging his broad background in jazz, improvisation and contemporary music, have yielded several critically acclaimed full albums. With the De Groote-Faes Duo - his long-standing collaboration with double bassist Ben Faes - he has carved out a unique musical universe unbound by genre. Their 2017 release Symphony for 2 Little Boys received a wave of raving press reviews across Europe.
In 2026, De Groote-Faes Duo released t i m e  u n f o l d i n g, featuring iconic Belgian drummer Dré Pallemaerts as a special guest.