MATHIS PICARD - Live at the Museum
Outside in Music CD OM2204
Mathis Picard, solo piano; Savannah Harris, drums (Woodland Fantasy, track 11 only)
Recorded live at the National Jazz Museum of Harlem, New York City, USA
Mathis Picard, of French and Malagasy (Madagascar) origins offers his solo debut with this album of piano music from a very broad set of sources. It is a spectrum of his musical roots and reflects on the greatness of some of those elements, celebrating the works of such diverse classical and jazz musicians as Maurice Ravel and Bix Beiderbecke. Five of his own pieces are included too. The result is a collection which amalgamates his own style, covering classical, jazz and stride and not forgetting electronic bass.
The work mirrors the pianist’s musical background and he is able to demonstrate his respect for those elements through his distinctive sound and elucidation. Such is the breadth and depth of his commentary, that he is able to merge, impeccably, such wildly varied pieces as encompass his spectrum, fashioning his own very particular and remarkable voice.
His early experience in training began at the Suzuki Institute in Pittsburgh and then at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. After hearing music by Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller and Art Tatum, he “found support and belonging within the music” and became fascinated by stride piano. His musical education continued in France, at the Conservatoire de Fontainebleau and the Centre De Musique De Didier Lockwood, then at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland, studying under its Director of Jazz.
You may never again hear the likes of Maurice Ravel and Willie “The Lion” Smith being reproduced on the same album, let alone so faultlessly – and in a live concert! Picard’s expertise and fervour in the act of performing are uplifting – he is a true innovator.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
Outside in Music CD OM2204
Mathis Picard, solo piano; Savannah Harris, drums (Woodland Fantasy, track 11 only)
Recorded live at the National Jazz Museum of Harlem, New York City, USA
Mathis Picard, of French and Malagasy (Madagascar) origins offers his solo debut with this album of piano music from a very broad set of sources. It is a spectrum of his musical roots and reflects on the greatness of some of those elements, celebrating the works of such diverse classical and jazz musicians as Maurice Ravel and Bix Beiderbecke. Five of his own pieces are included too. The result is a collection which amalgamates his own style, covering classical, jazz and stride and not forgetting electronic bass.
The work mirrors the pianist’s musical background and he is able to demonstrate his respect for those elements through his distinctive sound and elucidation. Such is the breadth and depth of his commentary, that he is able to merge, impeccably, such wildly varied pieces as encompass his spectrum, fashioning his own very particular and remarkable voice.
His early experience in training began at the Suzuki Institute in Pittsburgh and then at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. After hearing music by Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller and Art Tatum, he “found support and belonging within the music” and became fascinated by stride piano. His musical education continued in France, at the Conservatoire de Fontainebleau and the Centre De Musique De Didier Lockwood, then at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, Scotland, studying under its Director of Jazz.
You may never again hear the likes of Maurice Ravel and Willie “The Lion” Smith being reproduced on the same album, let alone so faultlessly – and in a live concert! Picard’s expertise and fervour in the act of performing are uplifting – he is a true innovator.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
