New faces this week. French saxophonist Mattieu Bordenave and his quartet, featuring Florian Weber on Piano, Patrice Moret on Bass and James Maddren on drums. All laid down at the Bavarian Radio Funkhaus in Munich on December 20th of last year.
Much as we hear that Jazz is a lost art form, no longer vital and dying, if not dead already, it’s just not true. Jazz is alive and well and kicking all over the place, especially in Europe where it’s always had a strong appreciation and interest. It probably explains why so many American Jazz artists have migrated to Europe or have toured extensively there ever since World War 1. But it’s also been a place where much influence is shared and Matthieu Bordenave is bright light on the musical horizon.
Relatively new to the scene, with his debut album as leader of his own quartet for ECM released in 2020. Bordenave has quickly gained a reputation as a both a leader and collaborator, with projects going back to 2018.
Born in 1983 in Southern France, Matthieu Bordenave began his early musical studies with classical saxophonist Christian Charnay and with Thierry Girault (jazz) in Annecy, before he moved to Paris at the age of 17, where he continued to work with André Villéger. He entered the national conservatory (CNSM), studying in its department of jazz and improvised music. His workshops teachers in Paris included Chris Potter, Louis Sclavis, Paolo Fresu, Marc Johnson and bass-clarinetists Jean-Marc Volta and Philippe-Olivier Deveaux. His musical education continued at the Musikhochschule of Munich where he graduated with a Master of Music, he also received the DAAD Prize during his studies.
He has performed with some of most outstanding musicians including Lee Konitz, Rudi Mahall, Yaron Herman, Henning Sieverts, Florian Weber, Shinya Fukumori, Peter O’Mara, Geoff Goodman.
On Enja Records he released two albums with his trio “Le Café Bleu International” as well as in quartet with “Terre de Sienne”.
He also recorded with the American guitarist Geoff Goodman: “Inverted Forest” on Doublemoon Records.
In 2018, he maked his debut on the legendary label ECM Records with the Shinya Fukumori Trio.
His debut album as leader, “La traversée” (2020) on ECM records received enthusiastic reviews.
Here he is, recorded just a few weeks ago – dive in and keep an eye on him:
