Offering a fusion of nocturnal experimental pop and chamber music, the Colorist Orchestra reimagines the music of invited singer/songwriters using a diverse mix of orchestral instruments, objects, and occasional electronics. They made their full-length recording debut with The Colorist Emilíana Torrini in 2016. Not on the Map, their album with Howe Gelb and Pieta Brown, appeared in 2021.

Inspired by artists ranging from Harry Partch and Moondog to Talking Heads, the Colorist Orchestra was established in Belgium in 2013 under the leadership of Aarich Jespers (percussion, flapamba) and Kobe Proesmans (percussion, calabash). The eight-piece's other members include Jeroen Baert (violin), Karel Coninx (viola), Sep François (melodic percussion, hammered mbar), Wim De Busser (grand piano, prepared piano, keys), Tim Vandenbergh (double bass, electric bass), and Gerrit Valckenaers (bass clarinet, stones, mirrors, glass bowls, electronics). Following collaborations with Cibelle and Sumie Nagano, they recorded a live album with Icelandic singer/songwriter Emilíana Torrini. It arrived on Rough Trade in late 2016. The live EP The Colorist Orchestra Lisa Hannigan followed on ATO Records and PIAS in 2018 amid continuing tour dates, including a string of shows with Gabriel Rios. Next up for the group was an album with songwriter Howe Gelb featuring Pieta Brown titled Not on the Map. It arrived on Dangerbird Records in 2021. ~ Marcy Donelson, Rovi