“Music is the universe once again" --Schopenhauer
Music speaks better than words - but sometimes words, such as Schopenhauer's here can catch the magic which makes this art form so unique. And magic is the word for Jean-Michel's new trio. Three painters and storytellers who mesmerize their audiences with something that goes far beyond notes and craft. We won't attempt to define that “something." It must be heard and discovered. Suffice to say that the one and only Billy Hart and the amazing Boris Kozlov bring to Jean-Michel Pilc's music that sense of freshness, adventure, mystery and excitement which is Jean-Michel Pilc's trademark and makes him so unique, to which made someone say at a recent Pilc performance proclaim: “Now I am a different person." The new release True Story (Dreyfus Jazz) will take you on a journey, which you won't forget and which will, indeed, change you. The recording, which is made up of fifteen new selections from Pilc, will embrace you throughout. From the beautiful opening composition titled “The Other Night" to the personal interpretations of Schubert's “Relic," & Cole Porter's “My Heart Belongs to Daddy" through the five-piece selection title track “True Story" (Scenes 1 thru 5) you will clearly recognize Jean-Michel Pilc's compositional brilliance and the unique musicianship that is captured here within this trio format. True Story will change you as well. Give a listen, and experience Pilc's new masterwork.
“a musical genius at work." --Eric Brace, The Washington Post
“Pilc ranks among today's titans of the instrument" --Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune
“Mr Pilc seems to have dropped from the sky fully formed, with technique and his ideas in place. He is a physical and densely harmonic player, a splashy stunner who also has a Rubik's-cube mind for chord substitutions." --Ben Ratliff, New York Times
About Jean-Michel Pilc:
Born in 1960 in Paris, and now an American citizen, self-taught, Jean-Michel Pilc has performed with numerous giants in the music field such as: Roy Haynes, Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jean Toussaint, Rick Margitza, Martial Solal, Michel Portal, Daniel Humair, Marcus Miller, Kenny Garrett, Lenny White, Chris Potter, John Abercrombie, Mingus Dynasty & Big Band, Lew Soloff and Richard Bona. He has also worked with Harry Belafonte, as his musical director and pianist.
Jean-Michel moved to New York City in 1995. There, he formed a trio with Franois Moutin (bass) and Ari Hoenig (drums). They recorded a one-week engagement at the legendary jazz club Sweet Basil and, in 2000, released two CDs - The Jean-Michel Pilc Trio - Together - Live at Sweet Basil, NYC - Vol. 1 & 2 (A-Records). Pilc then signed a record deal with Dreyfus Jazz. Pilc's first album for Dreyfus, Welcome Home (featuring the same trio), was released in 2002.
Pilc's next recording for Dreyfus, Cardinal Points was released the following year. It featured Jean-Michel's extended work Trio Sonata, which was created with generous support from Chamber Music America's New Works: Creation and Presentation Program, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. In 2004, Jean-Michel released his first solo album, Follow Me (Dreyfus). The Jean-Michel Pilc Trio then recorded Live at Iridium, NYC, in 2004 and New Dreams in 2006, both for Dreyfus Jazz.
In the last decade, Jean-Michel has been intensively touring worldwide, performing trio, solo, and also teaching clinics and master classes. In 2006, Jean-Michel was appointed jazz educator at NYU (New York University), where he is involved in private lessons (piano and other instruments), ensemble classes and improvisation workshops. He's also teaching for the New School & Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, as well as privately. In 2009 Pilc received his second New Works: Creation and Presentation Grant from Chamber Music America. His new project has been the writing and performance of “Modern Lights" - a composition reflecting Charlie Chaplin's work, and the inspiration Pilc has gained from his movies. The project was premiered at the Caramoor Jazz Festival in August of 2009.
Recently “Jean-Michel Pilc - A Portrait" -a film by John McCormick about Jean-Michel has been released in the US in 2009. In 2010-2011 Jean-Michel will be touring with his new trio featuring bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Billy Hart in celebration of the new release “True Story." Pilc is also currently working on a pedagogical book about jazz and improvisation. As if Pilc is not creating enough these days, he is also working on a new septet project titled “Big One" along with a brand new quartet project titled “Together", co-led by Jean-Michel, Franois Moutin & Ari Hoenig. His latest release is titled True Story on Dreyfus Jazz and features Pilc with Billy Hart on drums and Boris Kozlov on bass.
