MOUNT JULIET, TN, APRIL 15, 2025... Altus Flutes is proud to welcome internationally acclaimed flutist Bart Platteau to their respected roster of musicians. A dynamic and exploratory voice in both jazz and classical music, Platteau brings decades of experience, global performances, and a profound artistic vision to the Altus family.
Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, Platteau began his musical journey studying classical flute and percussion at the Brussels Conservatory, where he was awarded First Prize in Classical Percussion, Chamber Music, and Solfegio. He went on to perform with renowned ensembles such as the Orchestre National de Belgique and the Brussels National Opera Orchestra, before turning his attention to jazz.
Platteau studied jazz with legendary musicians including John Ruocco, Nathan Davis, and Joe Lovano, and completed his Master’s degree in Jazz Flute Performance at the Rotterdam Conservatory in 1993. He also studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston as an exchange student in 1992, working with George Garzone and Matt Marvuglio.
From 1998 until his move to New York in 2010, Platteau served as the Principal Jazz Flute Teacher at the Rotterdam Conservatory, while also teaching for 18 years at a music school in Roosendaal, the Netherlands. He currently resides in New York City, performing worldwide as a freelance artist and a core member of the acclaimed Amina Figarova Sextet.
Together with his wife, celebrated pianist and composer Amina Figarova, Platteau has released and produced over 18 recordings, with most of them prominently featuring the Bb Flute d’Amore—his preferred voice of expression in jazz.
"I really believe that there is a physical thing about the Bb flute, which other instrumentalists, like trumpet, clarinet and saxophone players figured out probably more than 100 years ago. There is something about the physics of nature and sound that is magical with the Bb Flute d’Amore,” Platteau shares. “There’s a richness and brilliancy, and slightly darker but fuller sound than the C flute. In the lower register, it's almost like the alto flute; the third octave is very comparable to the regular C flute."
Platteau has toured globally, performing in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Dutch Antilles, Indonesia, Azerbaijan, UK, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Croatia, Spain, Malaysia, South Africa, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and beyond.
Altus Flutes is honored to welcome Bart Platteau, his endorsement reflects the company’s dedication to supporting artists who explore and elevate the full sonic spectrum of the instrument.
To learn more about Bart Platteau, please visit: https://altusflutes.com/us/artists/bart-platteau.