His father, classical composer and jazz musician Norbert Goddaer, encourages Piet in his childhood to learn to read sheet music. At the local music academy the gifted youngster also learns to play the piano and the saxophone. At home, by exploring his dad’s record collection, Piet develops a broad taste in music, from classical music to Dave Brubeck and Frank Zappa.
On his 16th birthday, his father gives him his first electric guitar. Piet teaches himself to play the instrument. As soon as he masters the basics of the guitar, he starts writing songs. In 1995 Ozark Henry is born. The music critics embrace him and his avant-garde music, but real success comes after the release of his third album ‘Birthmarks’ in 2001 and the hits ‘Rescue’, ‘Word Up’ and ‘Sweet Instigator’. All the subsequent released Ozark Henry studio albums and compilation CD’s sell in large numbers.
The talent, craftsmanship and musical courage and vision of Piet Goddaer is also noticed by colleagues in the music business. Other singers and groups enlist him as a songwriter, arranger or producer. He works with well-known Belgian bands as Arid, Lunascape, Novastar and the British artists-collective A Change Of Light.
The cinematic feel of his compositions brings him a lot of assignments in television and motion picture, composing soundtracks for films, documentaries and drama-series.
