Two of Europe’s most talked-about jazz
scenes – London & Brussels – meet in the latest release
from saxophonist Arnaud Guichard’s Serendip quartet.
Having lived & studied in London
for five of his formative years (including alongside in-demand drummer Moses
Boyd, whose album he appears on), Guichard returned to his home country of
Belgium.
Queen of Fire (out May 7th) showcases the spirit of these vibrant cities in a record which takes in contemporary jazz, electronics and African spiritual music.
The current line-up also reflects this
journey, switching out the British musicians from the debut Serendip release
for three hotly-tipped Belgian players: Florent Jeunieaux (guitar), Jasper
de Roeck (double bass) and Matthias De Waele (drums).
The album is much more than a musical
statement: it’s inspired by the story of the many women in the Democratic
Republic of Congo who’ve been the subject of attacks over the last 20 years.
In narrating the healing journey of one such woman, the album aims to raise
awareness of an issue which is close to Guichard’s heart; his father was born
there and his grandmother still lives there.
“This record is dedicated to all the
victims of sexual violences in DRC and to Dr. Denis Mukwege and his team who
work hard at restoring the pride and dignity of all the victims of these
atrocities. We hope the war that has killed millions of people and continues to
destroy so many lives comes to an end.” – Arnaud Guichard
With a profile already bolstered by
regular airplay on UK radio and appearances at some of London’s coolest
underground venues, Queen of Fire is a meaningful
addition to the growing Serendip discography.
Arnaud Guichard | tenor saxophones, compositions
Florent Jeunieaux | Guitar
Jasper De Roeck | double bass
Matthias de Waele | drums
“The
influence of the vibrant UK jazz scene is more than tangible” – Jordi De Beule for Jazz&Mo’
(Belgium)
1. I
Am Just a Little Girl With a Dream
2. Fighting My Own Demons
3. Born To Be Free
4. Dancing My Desires
5. They Call Me The Queen Of Fire
Arnaud Guichard is a Belgian born saxophonist and
composer. He lived in the UK from 2013 to 2019 where he performed as a sideman
and as a leader with the renowned jazz musicians Zoe Rahman, Mark Lockheart,
Simon Purcell, Mick Foster, Dave Wickins, Nubya Garcia and Moses Boyd.
Arnaud studied at Trinity Laban
Conservatoire in London with saxophonist Jean Toussaint (Art Blakey). While
studying he was awarded the Jon Hassal prize for jazz in 2015 before graduating
in 2016.
His latest work as a bandleader
‘Serendip’ is a project that reflects Arnaud’s early influences from the
‘Symphony Fantastique’ by Berlioz. Serendip cultivates the essence of program
music using the Persian tale ‘The Three Princes of Serendip’ as an
extra-musical narrative.
Serendip launched its first album ‘The
Tale’ released by Impeka Records at Total Refreshment Centre in London in May
2018.It has since performed at prestigious venues like Ronnie Scott’s, The
Vortex Jazz Club, Jazz live at The Crypt, Jazz in The Round but also in more
young and happening London venues like Ghostnotes, Rye Waxrecords, The Royal
Albert bar and Kansas Smitty’s.
The album is well acclaimed by the
United Kingdom’s jazz radio programs.‘The Tale’ is played regularly on Jazz FM
radio and appeared on Soweto Kinch’s BBC Radio 3 program ‘Jazz Now’
In Belgium Serendip recently won the
Sabam for Culture Prize at B Jazz International Contest 2019. The band plays
regularly in Brussels jazz café and clubs.
The
album was also well received by the Belgian media as it appeared on Philippe
Baron’s jazz radio program on RTBF and received a great review in the jazz
magazine ‘Jazz n Mo’.
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