Andy Emler is a composer, pianist and initiator of collaborations. He is also a man of ingenuity. After taking composition, harmony and counterpoint courses (Prize for counterpoint 1981 – Variation for organ in J.S. After taking composition, harmony, counterpoint, and fugue courses (Prize in counterpoint 1981 – variation for organ in the style of J.S. In 1989, he created the MegaOctet, his personal laboratory. It was composed of 8 of the most flamboyant improvisers of the 1980s. He won the 1992 Django d’Or award for the best French jazz band. The early 1990s music scene was greatly influenced by this band. He was co-director of Scene Marnaise de Creation Musicale from 1994 to 1999 and participated in the collective adventure of POM. This big band had a constantly changing line-up. He formed a new MegaOctet in 2000 and was artist-in-residence at Vincennes’ Espace Daniel-Sorano with the Compagnie aime l’air. With the MegaOctet and two dancers, he created “Pop Unit 2000”. He also performed with Philippe Sellam in a duo, with Denis Badault, Emmanuel Bex and Eric Echampard. He is a regular collaborator with Pascal Contet and Ars Nova on contemporary music projects, as well as with the MegaOctet. He was also a sought-after composer for many professional ensembles, as well as ensembles that bring together amateur and professional musicians. November 2003 saw the publication of “Tee time”, by the Emler and Tchamitchian trio. This got the attention of the media: “Emoi” Jazz Magazine, **** Jazzman , “Bouts de souffles” a duo featuring Pascal Contet. Andy Emler and the Compagnie aime l’air stayed at L’apostrophe from September 2004 to June 2007 as part of Scene nationale de Cergy – Pontoise et Val d’Oise. Premiere of the MegaOctet featuring Michel Portal at Jazz au fil de l’Oise in November 2005. The MegaOctet, Emler, Tchamitchian and Echampard trio performed concerts in France, Switzerland, and the Baltic countries. Portal is increasingly requested for solo performances. The MegaOctet released “Dreams In Tune”, their new CD, in October 2004 to unanimous critical acclaim and was nominated at the Victoires du Jazz 2005 as French jazz album of 2005. March 2006 saw the publication of “Aquelle distance sommes-nous?”, the second CD from the Emler, Tchamitchian and Echampard trio. The press was excellent again: Telerama, Jazz Magazine, Emoi, and “fffff?” were all examples of the great presses. Andy Emler receives the Django d’or ‘Sacem’ de la création 2006. March 2007 saw the release “West in Peace”, the MegaOctet’s new album. It was again ecstatically welcomed by the media and the profession : “Best French Album 2007” by the Academie du Jazz. “Emoi Jazz Magazine 2007” “Choc Jazzman 2007” April 2007 saw A.E compose “Childhood Journeys” for the MegaOctet with Les Percussions de Strasbourg. Recorded and broadcast by France Musique in the l’UER europeen. Commande d’Etat. A DVD was released in May 2008, which was filmed at the New Morning in Paris in September 2006. It features the E,T.E trio, the MegaOctet, and Marc Ducret as special guests. Andy Emler, 50, celebrated his birthday at La Coupole de Combs-la-Ville on May 16th 2008 with a reprise performance of “Childhood Journeys” with the MegaOctet, Les Percussions de Strasbourg and Elise Caron. November 2008 saw the release “For Better Times”, a solo album that can be played on multiple pianos. This achievement was praised by the media for its musical depth and uniqueness. 2009 was the 20th anniversary of the MegaOctet. “Childhood Journeys” was presented at the Salle Pleyel, Paris. A second performance took place in Besancon five days earlier. The Emler, Tchamitchian and Echampard trio set off on April 2009 to tour the Baltic countries. The MegaOctet received well in Finland, Estonia, and Norway. The Naive label released “Crouch touch, engage”, the MegaOctet’s new album. It also included a DVD that featured a September 2008 performance at Le Triton, Les Lilas. It won the “Emoi Jazz Magazine” and “Choc Jazzman” Jazzman awards. It received unanimous praise in the Press from Le Monde, Les Echos and Liberation.fr. The Suddeutsche Zeitung, Liberation.fr, Liberation.fr and the Suddeutsche Zeitung. Andy Emler was composer-in-residence in the Pays-de-Loire 2009 and at Fondation Royaumont 2009/2011, where he worked on numerous projects, including “Dionysos a Royaumont”, which premiered October 10, 2009. “Crouch touch, engage” received a “Choc Jazz Magazine/Jazzman 2009” award in November 2009. It was also included in the “Disques de jazz de la l’annee 2009 shortlist” in both Le Monde and Liberation. Jazz Magazine readers awarded him the “Choc des lecteurs 2009”, in early 2010. He composed and directed the premiere of “Du Slam a l’Atlas”, a piece for five soloists of the MegaOctet, and five Moroccan musicians/singers as part of his Royaumont residency. This was performed in Morocco in 2010, and 2011. Andy Emler was awarded the Victoire du Jazz 2010 Instrumental Album of the Year award for “Crouch touch, engage”. Andy Emler began performing on the pipe/church organ in late 2009. He has played original compositions as well as improvisations. This led to Andy Emler’s appearance at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in July 2010. Ballake Sissoko, a kora player, and Guillaume Orti (saxophone), performed at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. On November 27, 2010, Andy Emler was confirmed as a Django d’Or 2010 “confirmed’Or” (!) (! Andy Emler MegaOctet/ “Crouch, touch and engage” Le MegaOctet was on tour in France and abroad in 2011, Emler, Tchamitchian and Echampard discovered the UK and their trio of Emler, Emler, and Laurent Dehors, a trio of pipe organ players, found new musical territories. In May Andy Emler released “Pause”, an album recorded on the Cavaille Coll organ of Fondation Royaumont by Emler and members of the MegaOctet. Choc Jazz Magazine/Jazzman. The new Andy Emler MegaOctet music will be unveiled at Le Triton-Les Lilas on November 3rd-5th 2011. This concert will be followed by a performance at Tampere Jazz Happening in Finland and a recording studio at La Buissonne to record the new music for the next MegaOctet album. May 2012 will see the release of “E tot”, a double CD from the Andy Emler megaOctet. It has been met with critical acclaim by Jazz Magazine, le Monde and Citizen Jazz. Richard Bois’ film is included in the package. Jazz Magazine features the band as a cover and has a 14-page article about Andy Emler. In October, Richard Bois will edit the documentary “Zicocratie”, which was filmed during preparation and recording of E total. Since then, it has been distributed by FNAC. As part of celebrations marking 50 years of the PDS, the Jazzdor Festival invites Andy Emler to perform “Childhood journeys”, a reprise performance of his work for the MegaOctet u0026 Les Percussions de Strasbourg. Andy Emler’s work “Obsisens”, which is a piece for 6 percussionists of the ensemble, will be performed at this event. A television crew films the concert and broadcasts it on cable TV (Mezzo), and online (www.szenic.eu). March 2013 is the debut of “Ravel”, based on Jean Echenoz’s text. Anne-Marie Lazarini directed the production. Andy Emler wrote the music and was awarded the Prix du mieux compositeur de musique de scene 2013. January 2014 saw the third CD released by the Emler, Tchamitchian and Echampard trio, “Sad, beautiful”, to much critical acclaim. Concerts in France, Norway The MegaOctet plays in Germany. “Presences d’Esprits”, a compilation of music and lyrics by Andy Emler, is released in July 2014. It features the combined talents from the MegaOctet (Archimusic), Elise Caron, and Archimusic on Radio France’s “Signature”. “Choc” Jazz Magazine. A series of impressive new works were premiered in the 2014/2015 season.
