Renaud Penant was born in Caen in Normandy in 1959. Renaud PENANT was born in Caen, Normandy, France in 1959. He attended workshops with great drummers like Clifford JARVIS, Max ROACH and Jean-Philippe VIRET. In 1990, he recorded a CD entitled “Paris jour et night” which includes two of his compositions. Francois JEANNEAU is the guest on the CD. Francois JEANNEAU was the ex-director of France’s ONJ (National Jazz Orchestra). After studying with Jimmy COBB during a 1992 visit to the United States, he decided that he would move to New York. In 1995, he was able to move to New York and has lived here ever since. He has performed with artists like Bob CRANSHAW and Joe MAGNARELLI. . He also played at Smalls for two years with the John MERRILL Trio. His regular gigs included Saturday Jam Session at Smalls with Ray MANTILLA and Mike KARN. In 2007, he performed twice at Smoke, this time with his new quintet that featured Bobby PORCELLI on saxophone and John BAILEY on trumpet. Steve ASH plays piano, Mike KARN plays bass. He also toured France in the fall, playing notably with Fabien Mary on trumpet and the great Alain JEAN-MARIE on piano from http://www.smallsjazzclub.com
