David El-Malek was a renowned European saxophonist who established himself quickly among his peers. An artist who is more than just a Jazzman. He was a true Musician. This is one of the unique characteristics of David, a nearly-self-taught, tireless and solitary worker: Music is what we can’t talk about without talking about David. He is a remarkable mature man who never forgets the importance of music and the emotions that it evokes. He was born in 1970 in Pantin (France), and will only stay there for one year. It’s in Israel where he will live until 1979. He will make his first eight years an unforgettable one by returning to France. He makes his significant musical debuts very late, as they occur after he has completed his military service in January 1990. He is barely twenty-years old when he decides to play the saxophone Tenor. He registers at the Academy of Montreuil in September of that year and begins Jean Claude Forenbach lessons, where he finds the harmony. He will dedicate the next several years to his new passion after this experience. He will work alone, away from any crowded circuits, to make up for the late practice. 1995 at the National Competition of La Defense, he wins the soloist third prize, second prize of composition and, during Jazz of Vannes competition, the first group award. He’s come a long way. David El-Malek has completed the five-year process to attain La Defense’s laurels for beginners. This young saxophonist was born out of nowhere and developed his skills completely outside of the professional setting. The jury will award him the special prize. He was recently confirmed for his role as a sideman on Laurent Coq’s disc and the Blowing Trio Live @ the Duc des Lombards by Grand Prix of the Disk2002 of the Academy Charles Cros jazz’category. His musical interpretation is exceptional and universal, light and serious, yet irascible, affectionate and affectionate, nostalgic and visionary. He is also interested in classic transcriptions for saxophone. His influences include Bach, Faure and Debussy, Ravel and Webern. David El-Malek frequently reiterates the fact that jazz is serious music. Listening to his compositions, and many other projects at once, is a sure way to feel the effects of it. His third disc, “Talking Cure”, joins the continuity of precedents. It contains folklores and personal compositions as well as a resumption a current standard. His fourth album, which was purely composed of ballads (band consisting of 13 musicians (4tet),) is nearly complete. We can also find his jazz-oriented work in the DEM Orchestra Music From Source. This was written for Christophe Dal Sasso’s symphony orchestra. It is accompanied by its quartet and with Big Band. The music consists of folklores as well as personal compositions. The National Orchestra of Lyon partially performed this project, which was innovative in its writing and theme. He is primarily based on the popular melodic lines and the nostalgic expression of music that ruled the eight years prior to his author’s birth. This project, which is far removed from the labels of virtuoso or technician, is a tribute to beautiful, universally accessible music with multiple references. The project was performed at The Auditorium of Lyon in France in April 2004. It was accompanied by Wayne Marshall and the National Orchestra of Lyon. The National Orchestra of Lyon supervised the performance. The Lubiana’orchestra also played the part of an invited solist in the wold Saxophone Congress in Sloviania. The first volume of “Music From Source” will be released in an octet by label “Nocturne”. Some people think that …… David El-Malek took his first significant steps very late after completing his military service in January 1990. David El-Malek had no clear career or future prospects and was not pursuing a career in music. He played the guitar for fun, but it was not to be used professionally. It is only after taking a music class by Pierre Jean Gaucher will things change. The teacher will expose his weaknesses and the pupil will be able to see the truth. David is not discouraged but a bit hurt and decides to take the music from the start. He chooses to learn the alto saxophone because he’s only twenty-years old. He works at an ice cream shop, purchases a saxophone book and continues to play his instrument every night. He enrolls in Jean-Claude Forenbach’s class at the Conservatoire of Montreuil in September 1990. This is where he finds harmony, which will be a great revelation. David El-Malek will dedicate his life to his one and only passion, work, after this experience. He will try his best to make up the time lost by being involved in a difficult task that is far from any paved roads. David will improve his phrasing skills and musicality through hard work and perseverance. He met Bruno Angelini at a jam session near the end 1994. He offered him to join his Quarter Est band with Jules Bikoko and Daniel Garcia Bruno. The band will be selected to participate in the National contest of La Defense the following year. David wins the third prize for soloist, and the second prize for compositions. Take note of his career path: David El-Malek’s journey from the beginning steps on the saxophone, to the awarding of La Defense has been a long one. The jury’s special prize will make him a respected young saxophonist who has never lost sight of his technique or his professional environment. Many other events will follow from that point. 1995 marked a turning point in his professional life. After being crowned the Vannes contest’s best band, Quartier Est will be performing at the Maison de la Radio as well as touring France in 1996-97 with the group. He will also meet Laika Fatien (a singer) and will be joining her quintet for 2 albums recording and performing at festivals like Clermont-Ferrand Saint-Etienne, Marciac, and Saint-Etienne. He will also support David Dexter D. (the creator of the hit “Jack The Jazzman”) and will travel to Istanbul and Montreal to perform. Finally, he will finally venture into Paris’ jazz clubs. He will act as a sideman for famous musicians like Alain Jean-Marie (Abbey Lincoln), or Georges Brown(Wes Montgomery). David El-Malek takes a break at the end 1998 to focus on his own projects. His sideman activities have become rare. He is more focused on his music and wants to be a leader. He will form his first band, a quartet that includes Baptiste Trottignon (piano), Manu Marsez (accoustic basse) and Mouhrad Benamou(drums). The band will soon record a live recording at Cafe des Arts in Bordeaux. This will mark a promising start for the band and give them the chance to look for gigs. This album features reinterpreted jazz standards, including “this is new”, and “spring can really hang me up most”. It will also include “dearly loved”. David will play his compositions during the next tour, during which Baptiste Trottignon is replaced by Manu dupre. The album’s last song, Tora tsiva lenou moche (from the traditional jewish repertoire), was recorded live at Cafe des Arts. This is a very unusual ending. It won’t be an easy feat to make a breakthrough in jewish folk music. The new album “Organza” will be released in December 2000. This new album will be recorded by Pierre de Bethmann and Jules Bokoko, as well as Daniel Garcia Bruno. David showcases a cheerful music that is current, in which he incorporates rearranged jewish folk songs. David frequently repeats the fact that Jazz music should be taken seriously. You will see that he is not exaggerating when you listen to his new jazz compositions. You will be captivated by his intense, firm and delicate sound. There are also passages that are full of anger and restlessness, but they are counterbalanced with somme quietness and ballads. This musical atmosphere is reminiscent of the warm summers ….. You can see more …. David is from a Jewish family. He was born in Pantin in 1970. He will not stay in France for more than one year, and will be raised in Israel. He will find his identity there. However, a sudden departure from France will force him to leave the nest of his children. At eight years old, he arrives in Bordeaux. This cultural and geographical transition will be difficult and leave a scar. This secret scar will take him to a wandering place: school will be non-definite, and breathing in the air would be dangerous if it was music. David seems to be looking for something else. Then he must do his military service. David realized that he didn’t have a specific professional goal when he finished his military service in January 1990. However, he knew that he needed to work for a musical vocation, not dig trenches. Franck, his brother who was a baroque musician and played guitar, had definitely influenced him. He decides to go this route, buys a book, plays his guitar and has his last lesson with Pierre Jean Gaucher. He was determined to preserve his musical language, which he will transfer to the saxophone even though this instrument was not vital to him. He will experience a moment of rebirth, and then he’ll find his own expression through the saxophone. David El-Malek will finally be a joy to his soul. He is only twenty-five. He was twenty-one and worked at an ice cream shop. He also attended the Conservatoire of Montreuil in September 1990 to study in Jean-Claude Forenbach’s class. This year, he finds harmony that is going be a revelation. Alain Bugeli (alto saxophone), who was Forenbach’s student, will also be present. David was impressed by the man’s musical expression, and asked him to give private lessons. It’s easy to say what you have to do! Jazz music cannot be delayed. He will be able to learn the jazz repertoire not only through his instrumental technique, but also through great jazz portraits, lives, and music like Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Coltrane’s G sounds different from a standard G. Is it pure neophytic enthusiasm? Or unassailable will? This meeting will bring an end to all of his wanderings. It will change his life and make a career. This meeting will be with jazz music, his second language. He will learn to play the piano, an untried task far from any established path. David will search for a new sound and an existential meaning. He will be able to use his hard work and perseverance to achieve a unique musicality and phrasing. He met Bruno Angelini at a jam session near the end 1994. He suggested that he join his band (“Quartier Est”) with Jules Bikoko, Daniel Garcia Bruno, and other musicians. The band is chosen for La Defense’s national contest the next year. David wins the third prize for soloist, and the second prize for compositions. Take note of his career path: David El-Malek’s journey from the beginning steps on the saxophone, to the awarding of La Defense has been a long one. The jury’s special prize will make him a respected young saxophonist, who has never left the professional environment. Many other events will follow from that point. 1995 marked a turning point in his professional life. After being voted the best band at the Vannes contest, his band “Quartier Est”, will perform at Maison de la Radio. They will also tour France in 1996/97. He will also meet Laika Fatien (a singer) and will be joining her quintet for 2 albums recording and performing at festivals like Clermont-Ferrand Saint-Etienne, Marciac, and Saint-Etienne. He will also support David Dexter D. (the creator of the hit “Jack the Jazzman”) and will travel to Istanbul and Montreal to perform. He will finally be able to visit Paris’ jazz clubs, and will act as a sideman for famous musicians like Georges Brown (Wes Montgomery) and Alain Jean-Marie. David El-Malek takes a break at the end 1998 to focus on his own projects. He is becoming less active in his side hustles. He is a music-focused person. It is time to realize his full potential. He will form his first band, a quartet that includes Baptiste Trottignon (piano), Manu Marses (accoustic basse) and Mouhrad Benamou(drums). The band will soon record a live recording at Cafe des Arts in Bordeaux (November 9-10 1998). This will mark their promising start and give them the chance to look for gigs. The album features reinterpreted jazz standards, among which you’ll find “this is new”, and “spring can really hang your up the most”. David will perform his compositions on the next tour, where Baptiste will be replaced by Manu dupre. You will be able to see the fluidity and depth in his improvisations from this first album. The last track, “Tora Tsiva Lanou Moche”, a song from the traditional jewish repertoire was recorded at Cafe des Arts. It is an unusual way to end the live recording. The new album “Organza” will be released in December 2000. It was recorded with new musicians Pierre de Bethmann and Jules Bikkoko. David showcases a cheerful music that is current, in which he incorporates rearranged jewish folk songs. David frequently repeats the fact that jazz music should be taken seriously. You will hear him speak truthfully when you listen to his new jazz compositions. You will be captivated by his calm and firm voice as well as the passages of anger and restlessness that are counterbalanced with somme silence, ballads, and joyful despair that make you swing. This musical atmosphere is reminiscent of summer’s warm rains. You can find all this and more at www.davidelmalek.com
