Aymeric Avice, trumpet, slide trumpet and seashells Joachim Florent, double bass Francesco Pastacaldi, drums “Originality has not yet died”, laughed the critics as these wildly talented young men appeared on stage. Jean Louis spent two years underground to perfect his style. The trio’s first album Jean Louis, released in 2008, stunned the music world. The album was hailed by critics as one of the most important debuts of the decade. The trio maintained their unique voice in 2010 with the impressive album Morse. Jean Louis’s unorthodox style fusion, timbral effects and blend of electronic and acoustic sound is a challenge to conventional thinking. The trio’s roots can be traced back to progressive music groups like Doctor Nerve or The Muffins. However, Jean Louis found a way to create a more expressive, powerful, and refreshing sound. The group is counterbalanced on jazz, rock, and electronics. They create an unbelievably rich and flexible music fabric on traditional instruments. The sound of the trumpet, which plays to the beat of inflexible drums, is difficult to recognize. Marc Ducret and Meshuggah are among the trio’s musical influences. Miles Davis, Fred Frith and 20th-century composers Varese as well as Zakir Hussein are also among their influences. You won’t be allowed to put a label on their music. Jean Louis breaks down musical barriers to transport the audience on a steep path surrounded by diverse atmospheres. Jean Louis has been a pioneer in experimental music for a few years. The trio was a winner of the “Concours National du Jazz a la Defence” (2007) in France and AFIJMA’s “Jazz Migration” (2009) in France. It was featured on France’s main jazz scenes as well as in Switzerland, Italy, and the UK. Jean Louis represented France last year in Artscape, an international project in Vilnius. Aymeric Avice was a student at the Le Conservatoire national superieur de musique, Paris. He won the best soloist award in the “Esprit Jazz” (2004). He performed with Magma and Le Sacre du Tympan as well as Les Chevals, Dave Liebman and Riccardo dil Fra. He is currently performing with Radiation 10, Fantazio and as a trio, with Philippe Gleizes and Bruno Ruder. Avice will perform on slide trumpet and see shells in Vilnius Jazz. Joachim Florent was a Belgian citizen. He studied music in his homeland and continued his studies at the Le Conservatoire national superieur de chanson in Paris. He was awarded the first prize in “Concours National de Jazz a la Defense”, 2007 for the best musician category. Radiation 10, Brice Martin’s Quartet, White Light and Benjamin Flament collaborate with the double bassist. Francesco Pastacaldi was a native of Italy. He was driven by a passion for adventure to Paris in 2000. He participated in summer sessions at Sienna Jazz, Manhattan School of Music, as well as studying at Paris’ Le Conservatoire national superieur de music. Pastacaldi worked with Nico Gori and Ares Tavolazzi. He also performed for three years with Emiko Minakuchi’s trio, with whom he recorded Kokolo (2006). He has also performed with Les Chevals and Benoit Alziary’s WIP Nonet as well as Sylvaine Hary Trio. Fantazio is the drummer. He wanted experimentation to win and so he created Torture Nounours, which is a hardcore, bass-drums duo. Visit www.vilniusjazz.lt
