Jan Muës was born as the second child of seven in a restless and mildly insane, artistic family in Zichem, Belgium. As a nine year old boy, he already played tunes on his little trumpet and joyfully imitated his big idol, Louis Armstrong. He was fascinated by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Spike Jones, Fred Astaire and all the big musical produc-tions.

At a young age, he took trumpet lessons at the music academy in Diest, and when he was fifteen, he received the government medal. Later, he studied jazz improvisation, composition and arrangement at the Antwerp Jazz Studio.

With his quartet and septet, he played on many a stage and at national and international festivals: Middelheim, Milano, Madrid, Cambridge, Berlin, de Gentse feesten, Amsterdam, the World Expo in Sevilla, etc. In addition, he was the musical guest in a long list of radio and TV programs. Jan also played as first soloist in the orchestra and combo of François Glorieux and played in the BRT (Belgian Radio and Television) Jazz Orkestra.

For his entire work as composer-arranger Jan received the SABAM Award (awarded every five years) in 1997. The Belgian radio station KLARA commissioned him in 2004 for the creation of the album Jan Muës Cool Cargo (LC Music). Over the years, he has taught composition and trumpet improvisation at the Antwerp Jazz Studio, gave workshops in Dworp, Bruges and the Brussels Music Conservatory.

In the Belgian Jazz scene, Jan Muës is known for his melodious improvisation. Using his instrument, he can interpret and render a wide range of atmospheres and emotions. In addition to his performances with The Jan Muës Quartet, he teaches trumpet and improvisation at the Overijse Jazz Academy. He is seated in juries of both the SABAM Award and the International Jazz Festival in Bilbao, Spain.