Pierrick Pédron is one of the most highlighted french saxophone player. Gonzalo Rubalcaba has undoubtedly proved he was a main influence in modern Jazz world. Their new album released in spring 2023 is soberly titled Pédron / Rubalcaba and tells the story of a summit meeting. Together, they explore the art of the duet with a fine selection of XXth century standards from Sidney Bechet to Carla Bley. Two musicians pushing as one the frontiers of their own expressivity, letting their virtuosity roam free, showing the music behind the notes.
Pierrick and Gonzalo had never met until they got together for this recording in a New York City studio in June 2022. But when listening to the first notes, one can hear a symbiosis at work through mutual esteem. This duo is for real, its creativity is boundless – and it’s here to stay.
– NEWS –
Album of the year, Les Victoires du Jazz 2023
Pierrick Pédron, artist of the year, Les Victoires du Jazz 2021
Album released in March 2023 (Gazebo Records)
SHOCK! Jazz Magazine // TTTT Télérama // MUST TSF // Indispensable Jazz News // Elected! CitizenJazz…
Pierrick Pédron is one of the most highlighted french saxophone player. He has been gravitating in the jazz sphere for more than 20 years and has been acknowledged as one of the most hard working musician in France – and undoubtedly as one of its brightest virtuosos. Through a dozen albums as a leader, he explored multiple aspects of jazz, from its most traditional to its most modern forms, As a high class instrumentist, he regularly teamed with the Selmer factory and took part in the conception of their latest saxophones. His last album, 50/50, released in 2021, gathered an international line up (Sullivan Fortner, Larry Grenadier and Marcus Gilmore) and received major awards in France (Artist of the year 2021 Victoires du Jazz / Artist of the year Jazz Magazine, Jazz News, **** Downbeat…)
When Pierrick decided to approach Gonzalo Rubalcaba for his new project, he knew he was dealing with a true icon of the international music scene. Pianist and composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba was already a budding star in his native Cuba when he was discovered by Dizzy Gillespie in 1985. A few years later, Piano & Keyboard magazine selected him in 1999 as one of the great pianists of the 20th century, along with giants such as Glenn Gould, Martha Argerich and Bill Evans. Witheighteen Grammy nominations, three Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards under his belt and collaborations with artists such as Charlie Hadden, Al di Meola, Jack DeJohnette, Ron Carter, Chick Corea or Herbie Hancock, Rubalcaba has undoubtedly proved he was a main influence in modern Jazz world.
Their new album to be released in spring 2023 is soberly titled Pédron / Rubalcaba and tells the story of a summit meeting. Together, they explore the art of the duet with a fine selection of 20th century standards from Sidney Bechet to Carla Bley. Two musicians pushing as one the frontiers of their own expressivity, letting their virtuosity roam free, showing the music behind the notes.
Pierrick and Gonzalo had never met until they got together for this recording in a New York City studio in June 2022. But when listening to the first notes, one can hear a symbiosis at work through mutual esteem. This duo is for real, its creativity is boundless – and it’s here to stay.
Let's call it the miracle of jazz"
Historic, yes historic, was the concert of the duo Pierrick Pédron - Gonzalo Rubalcaba, brought together for the first time on stage (...). At the Coutances theater, whose exceptionally attentive audience listened to each pianissimo of the Cuban maestro, we shared the feeling of witnessing the elevation of the French saxophonist to the rank of jazz monument. Pierrick Pédron monumental, during this concert of a level beyond the discible."
The reunion on stage of saxophonist Pierrick Pédron and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba one year after the recording of their magnificent album was announced as one of the events of this 2023 edition of Jazz sous les Pommiers. The concert, splendid and lively, exceeded all expectations..."
It was the duo expected by many: saxophonist Pierrick Pédron and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba lived up to the hopes based on listening to the album that brought them together.(...) A summit. No doubt , this first concert will have proven the merits of an intimate format which plunges into the heart and soul of the sound. Not deaf, the public was not mistaken: standing ovation supported"
– LINE-UP –
Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano)
Pierrick Pédron (saxophone)
ON TOUR
Soon on tour
