Tueday, February 26

Beyond Jazz...

Louis Sclavis, clarinet , saxophone, composition
& Friends
Médéric Collignon, trumpet, voice
Vincent Courtois, cello
Hasse Poulsen, guitar

LOUIS SCLAVIS, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone
Born in Lyon, France, on February 2nd 1953

1962 Began learning the clarinet in a small district school, then studied at the Lyon Conservatoire.
1975 to 1988. long association with the Workshop de Lyon and the Marvelous Band . Sclavis has recorded and toured with both groups.
1976 Joined La Marmite Infernale . Worked with Didier Levallet, Michel Portal, Bernard Lubat and Henri Texier and was a member of Chris McGregor's Afro-European big band the Brotherhood of Breath.
1982 Formed his own group Le Tour de France , whose members, appropriately, originated from different French regions. The band featured Benat Achiary, Yves Robert, Michel Doneda, Philippe Deschepper, Alain  Gibert and Gérard Siracusa.
In 1987 Sclavis formed a septet for a performance at the Banlieues Bleues Festival. The group comprised Chevillon and Raulin, plus old friends Yves Robert and Philippe Deschepper, together with Miche Godard (tuba) and virtuoso violinist Dominique Pifarély
With Jacques di Donato and Armand Angster he formed the Trio de Clarinettes ; they played,  dauntingly complex pieces by Pierre Boulez and Brian Ferneyhough.
Sclavis met dancer/choreographer Mathilde Monnier and worked with her on several performances:
« A la renverse », « Chinoiserie », « Face Nord », « Ainsi de suite
Worked on combining French traditional music with jazz improvising.
In 1991, the clarinettists and Clastrier were retained for Sclavis' folk-inspired big band «Création indigène ».
  In 1991, the Louis Sclavis-Dominique Pifarély Acoustic Quartet was formed and  joined by Bruno Chevillon and the unorthodox guitarist Marc Ducret.
1993  Sclavis appeared at the Banlieues Bleues Festival with a Double Trio comprising the Trio de Clarinettes together with the Arcado String Trio (with violinist Mark Feldman,
Cellist Ernst Reijseger and Bassist Mark Dresser). The double Trio appeared at several European festivals.
Louis Sclavis continues to work with other bandleaders including Joachim Kühn, Michel Portal and Ernst Reijseger and plays in a cooperative trio with
Aldo Romano and Henri Texier "Sclavis Romano Texier".
Creation of a trio with Tim Berne (sax) and Noel Akchote (guitare) for Saalfelden and Mulhouse Festivals.
Musical encounter with the Ravel Quatuor (Théâtre de la Renaissance).
Special project for the Jazz Festival of La Villette (Paris), the 25th anniversary of Moers Festival and the Jazz Festival of Parthenay with his trio + Jean Louis Matinier (acc), Ray Anderson (tb)
1997 Creation of a Trio for the Sons d'Hiver Festival with Fred Frith and Jean Pierre Drouet.
Presentation of a new quintet for the SWF and Donaueschingen Festival with Pierre Favre, Ernst Reijseger, Bruno Chevillon and Arcady Shilkoper.
Creation of a wind instrument quintette " Five easy pieces " for the Hamburg Radio with Yves Robert, François Corneloup, Michel Godard and Laurent Dehors.
2000 Contributed with Jean Pierre Drouet and Catherine Jauniaux to the new show " Fin et Début " by the choreographer François Verret.
Composed the music of the new show of Jean Louis Martinelli " Le deuil sied à Electre".
Composed, on the request of the Lumière Institute and Bertrand Tavernier, the music of the silent movie " Dans la nuit " of Charles Vanel.
Creation of a new quartet Napoli's Walls with Vincent Courtois, Mederic Collignon and Hasse Poulsen, inspired by the photographic work of Ernest Pignon Ernest of the walls of Napoli, in February during the Sons d'Hiver Festival.
2004 Creation of a new quintette with Michel Portal, Bernard Lubat, Eric Echampard and Bruno Chevillon.
2005 Creation in January of a septet Big Napoli with Mederic Collignon, Vincent Courtois, Paul Brousseau, Dgiz, Hasse Poulsen and François Merville co produced by the Sons d'Hiver Festival and the Royaumont Foundation;
Creation in March of " Des mots dans la musique" with Bernard Lubat, François Marthouret and Jacques Bonnaffé in the Banlieues Bleues Festival.
Creation in April of a new quintette " L'imparfait des langues " with Marc Baron, Maxime Delpierre, Paul Brousseau and François Merville for the Printemps des Arts of Monaco.

Recordings:
Sclavis played and recorded with improvisers from England, Germany and America – including saxophonists Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann and Loi
Coxhill, trombonist Connie Bauer, Bassist John Lindberg and drummer Tony Oxley – on the French Nato Label and Berlin's FMP.
1984 Recorded «Clarinets», his first album as a leader, on Ida Records, and established a quartet with Bruno Chevillon (bass) François Raulin (keyboards) and Christian Ville (drums).
The Septet formed by Sclavis in 1987 recorded a Chamber Music CD.
Pifarély appeared as special guest with the Sclavis Quartet on the highly successful "Chine" album.
Recorded as a member of Cecil's Taylor European Orchestra "ELLINGTON ON THE AIR", with the sextet at the Paris Jazz Festival, recorded on Ida Records.
Co-led a recording project with singer André Ricros from the Auvergne region ( Le Partage des eaux - the sharing of waters), and appeared onalbums with hurdy gurdy player Valentin Clastrier (Hérésie), and with a quintet of traditional and contemporary clarinet players (Musique têtue).
1991 The Trio de clarinettes recorded "Live in Berlin" .
  Sclavis recorded his first album on ECM with the Quartet and Dominique Pifarély: "Rouge".
1993: The Acoustic Quartet recorded on ECM.
Recording on Enja Records of " Green Dolphy Suite ".
His rapidly expanding discography includes sessions with Trilok Gurtu, Klaus Koenig, Andreas Willers and many others.
1994 Release of the album "Carnets de Route" with Aldo Romano andHenry Texier.
First album by the Acoustic Quartet was released on ECM with Dominique Pifarely, Marc Ducret and Bruno Chevillon
Release on Label Bleu of the Trio Album with Bruno Chevillon and drummer François Merville" Ceux qui veillent la nuit ".
1995 Release of the album " Et on ne parle pas du temps " on FMP with Ernst Reijseger.
1996 Release of the album " Les Violences de Rameau " on ECM.
Release of the album "Danses et autres scènes" on Label Bleu.
1998 Release of the album " Le Phare " with Bernard Struber on Enja.
  1999 Release of the album " Suite Africaine " on Label Bleu with Aldo Romano and Henry Texier.
The movie music of " Ca commence aujourd'hui " by Bertrand Tavernier, recorded on Sony Music.
Recorded on ECM of his quintette " L'affrontement des prétendants " with Bruno Chevillon, François Merville, Vincent Courtois and Jean Luc Cappozzo
2001 Release of the album " I dream of you jumping " with Fred Frith and Jean Pierre Drouet.
2002 Release of the album "Dans la nuit" on ECM.
His last album " Napoli's Walls " released on ECM in november received a warm reception by the French and international critics.
Release of " A l'improviste " with Jean Pierre Drouet

Awards:
In 1988 Sclavis  was awarded the Prix Django Reinhardt, a prize given annually to the best jazz musician in France.
1989 The Sclavis Quartet won first prize as European Band of the year at the Barcelona Biennale
1990 Louis Sclavis received the British Jazz Award 1990/91 – sponsored by England's Wire magazine – as International Artist of the year.
Received in December 96 the National Music Award by the French Ministry of Culture.
2003 Received the First Audience Prize in the Festival "Strade del Cinema" inAoste (Italia) for " Dans la nuit ".

Activities:
Since 1980, Louis Sclavis has composed regularly for the theatre company of Christiane Vericel, " Image Aigüe ", and worked with theatreproducer Jean-Louis Martinelli and with film director Jean-Louis Comolli.
Since 1982, he has frequently worked with photographer Guy Le Quérrec in performances including « De l'eau dans le jazz », « OEil de Breizh » and « Jazz comme une image ».
The Sclavis Sextet was scheduled to perform « Les violences de Rameau », a co-production with the Theatre de la Renaissance.

Tours:
Toured in Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania and Asia, Canada, South America, Japan, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, South and East Africa.

MÉDÉRIC COLLIGNON, cornet, vocals, effects, toys, bugle, composer, musical arrangements
Born 6 July 1970

Musical Path:
1975-89 Studied music theory and trumpet at the Conservatoire in Charleville-Mézière
Received his graduation diploma in music and trumpet
1985 Composed a Triptyque for 3 trumpets and percussion, one part of which pays homage to O.Messiaen (conducted by D. Mercuraenu)
Played at the heart of the salsa band TROPIC CAROLO COMBO
Played in the Ardennes' trumpet quintet conducted by his professor Ph. Cocu.
1989-90 Studied improvisation in various musical styles at the C.M.C.N in Nancy Ranked first in his year
Played Epinal's Big Band (conducted by O. Jacquet)
1990 Played in KILIMANDJARO (Rythm'n'blues)
Took part in the creation of 'O.R.J.L. (conducted by F. Méchali and B. Altschul, and later Ch. Jacob)
1991 Played in UNIT 5 (Fusion), in Mr. BLACK (jazz cool)
Took part in the 20ème PULSATION conducted by F. GUELL at the N.J.P. (Festival's opening)
1994 MALASSI (ethno-funk) sang in French (composition and arrangements)
STAX (Rythm'n'Blues, Soul) on the keyboard
Played in KASSALIT 7-piece with Ph. Lemoine (Festival Jazz d'Or in Strasbourg)
Composed a sequel to the NOMADIC ENSEMBLE (from 20ème PULSATION)
1995 Performed for the 30th anniversary of NEW ORLEANS PREACHERS with New-Band and Big-Band
Replaced J-F. Canape at the heart of cl. Barthélémy's Octet
Played with his trio as a special guest to Ph. Lemoine, wih MO'PEE's Quartet (jazz, improvised music), with L. Pagliarini ( Brigades d'Intervention Musicale )
Leader in Cl. Barthélémy's octet
Played in L. Dehors' street quintet
Took part in a few concerts as a guest of LA CAMPAGNIE DES MUSIQUES A OUIR ( Ch. Monniot, D. Charolles, C. Sergé)
Played in BOUNDLESS (P. Fradet), UNITED COLORS OF SODOM , the ZOOMTOP ORCHESTRA de B. Renandin,Edouard Ferlet's quintet. B. Struber's JAZZTET, LA THEORIE DU REPTILE .
Guest of URBAN MOOD (G. Coronado), MINOTAURE (Padovani), F. Théberge (with Alain jean-Marie, les frères Belmondo…)
Played in A PLUSIEURS (with Ph. Lemoine, J-L.Ponthieux, V. Limouzin, Ch. Marguet) + invités tels que Cl.Barthélémy, S. Cobo..
Formed an improvisation duo with Ph. Gleizes (drums)
Took part in the next ONJ led by P. Damiani
Played in trio with avec Ch.Monniot (saxophones) and A. Vincent (pre-recorded guitar)
Vocal bassist in the group ALERTA G (funk, Latino, afro.)
Played in the quintet of O.Benoît (with Ch. Marguet, Cl.Tchamitchian, B. Denzler)
2001 Contemporary rock work by Jonathan PONTHIER (orchestra +vocals + O.M.N.I + electronic music)
Various musical collaborations with L.SCLAVIS (quintet and quartet)
M. Collignon (vocals) / M. Chamagne (electronics) Duo at the Médiathèque at Issy-les-Moulineaux
N.J.P. creative work with various formations
Festival of Flers with the Big-Band d'Epinal
Festival of Dijon with the Big-Band d'Epinal
Jazz d'Or (KASSALIT)
Radio France (Octet Cl; Barthélémy)
Radio France Montpellier (KASSALIT)
Uzeste Festival (L. Pagliarini)
Musique Action Festival 97 (KASSALIT, Y. Gruselle Quintette, Lorraine band formed by Cl. Barthélémy)
Instants Chavirés (F. Pallem) (URBAN MOOD)
Jazz at parthenay, Nevers (quintet E. Ferlet Sons d'Hiver, Banlieues Bleues
Jazz Festivals at Luz, Le Mans, Orléans, Rive de Giers, Nîmes…

Awards:
1997 Performed and won 1st Prize at the Prix de la Défense with KASSALIT orchestral and composition prizes
First prize at the Prix de la Défense: orchestra and compositions
in 2000, La Défense Competition: 2nd prize for bass

Activities:
Led a course in improvisation at Charleville-Mézières at the C.N.M.D
Teaching at the C.M.C.N. in Nancy, France with B. Wilhelm led a group of young rap musicians (aged between 13 and 20) in improvised music jazz and rap

Recordings:
2000  (+CD) with A. Emler, D. Badault, and cl; Barthélémy
1999 Recorded a CD with  the collective SLANG (and) F. Pallem's Big Band LE SACRE DU TYMPAN, with  J-L. Pommier's QÜNTÊT
1996 CD with KASSALIT (cornet, vocals, co-production)
Artistic direction: Cl; Barthélémy,Deux z, Harmonia Mundi ONJ CD with EMC, CD le sacre du Tympan

VINCENT COURTOIS, cello
Born in 1968

Started studying the cello at age 6.
After graduating from Ecole Normale de Musique (Paris) in 1988 (earning a "diplôme supérieur d'exécution"), he played with such artists as ChristianEscoudé and pianist Martial Solal and was a member of the European Jazz
Orchestra of Young Talents directed by James Newton. A versatile virtuosoon his instrument.
Vincent feels as much at home in new classical music andexperimental jazz as in ethnic and popular concepts.

Artists worked with:
Juliette Greco, Michel Petrucciani, Les Rita Mitsouko and Khaled among others.
Marc Ducret, Louis Sclavis, Ellery Eskelin, Sylvie Courvoisier, Yves Robert, Régis Huby, Dave Douglas, Pierre Favre, Mark Feldman, Dominique Pifarely, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Steve Swallow and otherwonderful colleagues.

Activities:
Vincent Courtois and his cello  have been a strong force on the European scene all through the nineties
With his new quartet " What do you mean by silence " created in 2006, he plays with François Merville (drums), Jeanne Added (voice and cello) and the young
saxophonist Mark Baron.

Recordings:
Taken part in more than 30 recordings.
Vincent is a featured player in the current bands of Louis Sclavis ( Napoli's Walls, Dans la nuit, etc.)