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The most astonishing bass player of our times, Renaud Garcia-Fons has been impressing audiences with his viola-like con arco sound and his original stylistic concept that includes elements out of flamenco, new musette, tango, Andalusian, African, Latin American and Indian traditions. His bestselling ensemble album "Oriental Bass" (released in fall 1997) is among the most compelling and visionary works of the jazz/world music stream. Garcia-Fons' duo partner, Parisian accordion master Jean-Louis Matinier, is arguably the most adventurous and open-minded virtuoso of his instrument. Like Garcia-Fons, he studied classical music but soon turned towards jazz and other improvised music. In his playing he easily crosses the borders between ethnic traditions, swinging grooves and daring innovations in the new classical vein. Back in their childhood, Renaud Garcia-Fons and Jean-Louis Matinier lived in the same neighborhood and occasionally met for musical sessions. Many years later, they came together again in French Orchestre National de Jazz and started a solid cooperation that led to Garcia-Fons' earlier albums "Alboreá" (ENJ-9057 2) and "Oriental Bass" (ENJ-9334 2). They also played together in ensembles led by Michael Riessler, Gianluigi Trovesi and Michel Godard.
The duo Garcia-Fons & Matinier emerged from an informal improvisation session ten years ago, and it has conquered a wide range of musical styles and expression since. Says Renaud: "For us the duo is a symphonic orchestra - with thousands of instruments hidden in the heart of the bow and the bellows. Each composition is particularly orchestrated so that it evokes certain emotions and moods." With some help from master engineer Walter Quintus, Renaud's singing bass and Jean-Louis' many-sided accordion make up for a virtuoso tour de force through Mediterranean moods, Oriental scales, advanced composing, rocking grooves, and fascinating sound scapes. Melodically rich and rhythmically adventurous, this music is full of surprise and challenge and will appeal to jazz fans, world music lovers and classical listeners alike.
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Some other recordings by
Renaud García-Fons:
(Full list)
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