Gwen Matthews & Denis Colin
Photo by Guy Le Querrec
"Total mastery of this art. This is undoubtedly the most unusual
and genuine trio that can be heard. Exceptional and unclassifiable. Sure
surprise and magic."
~Francis Marmande, Le Monde
"This music is touching the state of grace."
~A.Pierrepont ,Jazz Magazine
Denis Colin stands apart on the French scene. He chose a road that was different from those which gradually turned “French Jazz” into a commonplace, and he has succeeded in creating music that represents neither escape into the future nor the exhaustion of those other roads. Nor has he ever found the need to take refuge in a supposedly radical pose. Colin’s evolution, refined and sure, lies in his constant desire for a real exchange between himself and the public.
His last recording, Etude de Terrain, was chosen by the critics as Jazz Record of the Year in 2000 (decided by a panel from Le Monde, Jazz Magazine, and Les Inrockuptibles). The clarinettist’s compositions have been the setting for the wonderful, extremely singing animation movies of Florence Miailhe, winner of French cinema’s “César” award in 2002 for Best Short-Form Film. Song has become unavoidable for Denis Colin’s bass clarinet; it’s only a short step from there to meeting other voices, and Denis Colin took that step when he undertook this new project. Until his album, Something in Common, he’d only recorded his own compositions. In his new album he expresses a simple, mature desire to finally try his hand at works by his main influences, now that he can take their full measure.
Since the album Something in Common, the Denis Colint Trio, a 14-year-old mainstay on the French scene, is comprised of bass clarinet, cello and zarb seamlessly sharing mixes, R&B, hip-hop, gospel and jazz. That album also featured a stellar performance by Gwen Matthews. The trio took Matthews on the road in Europe and developed a specific repertoire. Their performance at the Dakota will feature material from their next record together (a European release, coming in February). Denis Colin and his mates share with Gwen Matthews the healthy, simple questions he’s been asking himself, and the answers he’s found, on the unavoidable relationship with Black music. With a powerfully delicate touch, he’s opened a rare and precious window onto valuable terrain.
