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La rivière coulera sans effort
Theo Girard
Label: Discobole Records
Released: 2025
Duration: 00:38:17
Views: 82
Tracks
LA CHOSE; ON SE LÈVE, ON SE CASSE; UN CHEMIN TORTUEUX N’EST PAS FORCÉMENT PLUS LONG; LA RIVIÈRE COULERA SANS EFFORT; PLUS QU’UNE INFLUENCE; IMPROVISATION
Personnel
Album Description
MOBKE is a transatlantic quartet standing at the intersection of diverse musical influences and identities. The project was first conceived by French double bassist Théo Girard following a formative trip to the United States, where he was struck by the quiet yet intense energy of the New York jazz scene. Deeply inspired by all eras of American jazz, Girard set out to bring together musicians with bold artistic voices—artists capable of embracing this legacy while asserting a resolutely contemporary sound. Joining him are three musicians from contrasting backgrounds: Chinese-American drummer Lesley Mok, a rising figure in avant-garde jazz; French pianist Sophia Domancich, a sonic explorer involved in countless innovative projects; and New York saxophonist Nick Lyons, acclaimed for his subtle playing and masterful improvisation. Together, they form a group marked by raw, sensitive energy, where Théo Girard’s compositions serve as a launching pad for collective creation, shaped by mutual listening and individual freedom. As bassist and artistic director, Théo Girard—founder of Discobole I Compagnie & Label—drives MOBKE with bold creative momentum. Trained by leading figures in both European and American jazz, he has taken part in a wide range of projects including Bratsch, Macha Gharibian, Le Bruit du [sign], and Sibiel. Following the release of his debut album 30YearsFrom in 2019, he continued his compositional work with Pensées Rotatives, written for a large ensemble. The name MOBKE reflects the project's geographical and symbolic roots: MOntreuil and BrooKlyn—two poles connected by a shared desire for dialogue. The letter “E” stands for “ensemble” in every sense of the word: a group, a union, a shared act of creation. This is music born of encounter—across distances, generations, and contexts. Sophia Domancich, a multifaceted pianist, brings her depth of experience and virtuosity to the quartet. Leader of her new trio with bassist Mark Helias and drummer Eric McPherson, Sophia is no stranger to transatlantic collaborations (Andrew Cyrille, Nasheet Waits…). She shares her mastery of improvisation and interplay with Théo without reserve. Winner of the 1999 Django Reinhardt Prize, she remains the only woman to have ever received the award. Lesley Mok, a rising star on the New York scene, is an interdisciplinary artist working across sound, installation, film, and theater. Her work explores the intersection between the mundane and the divine through a refined musical approach. Her rhythmic language draws from Afro-Cuban folk music, subtle percussive textures, Free Jazz, ambient, and electronic music. She has performed with William Parker, Chris Tordini, and fiery Argentine saxophonist Camila Nebbia. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Deutscher Jazzpreis – Best Debut Album for The Living Collection (2023 – Dreams Records). Nick Lyons is a New York-based alto saxophonist, improviser, and composer. Since relocating to Brooklyn in 2005, he has earned the respect of his peers for his musical imagination and original approach to both standards and free improvisation. Time Out NY named him “a young jazz artist to watch.” He has played in numerous NYC clubs including Smalls, Dizzy’s, The Stone, 55 Bar, Café Bohemia, Barbès, and Ibeam. He has performed with pianists Connie Crothers and Kazzrie Jaxen, the trio of clarinetist Bill Payne and flutist Robert Dick, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Halperin, bassists Michael Bisio, Ken Filiano, Hill Greene, and drummers Billy Hart and Billy Mintz.
Album uploaded by Theo Girard
