France's M#233;dric Collignon will perform improvisational songs inspired by Miles Davis during the iconic trumpeter's electric period (1968-75) with his powerhouse band, Jus de Bocse, on Tuesday, December 1, 7pm at the National Arts Centre, Fourth Stage in a concert presented by the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

Collignon's studies began at the tender age of five, with lessons in music theory and trumpet at the Conservatoire de Charleville-Mzires. Recognized as much for his often amazing vocals as for his mastery of the cornet (an instrument he now prefers to the trumpet) this brilliant jazz instrumentalist possesses a wildly fertile imagination.

.".. on pocket trumpet, voices, horn, percussion and electronics... Collignon brought not only an incredible wide variety of sounds to the proceedings, but an impish sardonicism and clear sense of the absurd." - John Kelman, All About Jazz

Known as the 'French Revelation of the Year' (after receiving the Frank Ténot prize) “Jus de Bocse" is a play on words. When pronounced in French, it sounds almost like “jukebox." The band consists of Collignon - cornet, fluegelhorn, voice; Franck Woeste - Fender Rhodes; Philippe Gleizes - drums; and Frederic Chiffoleau - double-bass.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $15 for students 25 years and under with valid ID and are available at the National Arts Centre box office - 53 Elgin St., Ottawa, Tel. (613) 947-7000; Ottawa Jazz Festival office - 602-294 Albert St., (613) 241-2633; and Ticketmaster (613) 755-1111 or www.ticketmaster.ca.

Photo Credit
Cécil Matthieu