Jazz Articles about The Moutin Reunion Quartet

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Soul Dancers

by John Kelman
March 9, 2010

Despite the reunion now nearly a decade old, there's nothing out of place or out of time about the vibrant Moutin Reunion Quartet. The group--co-led by twin brothers François (bass) and Louis (drums) Moutin--has delivered fiery album after fiery album since its 2002 debut, Power Tree (Dreyfus), but it's only been since its third release, Something Like Now (Nocturne, 2005), that the group has settled on the winning line-up of keyboardist Pierre de Bethmann and saxophonist Rick Margitza. ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Sharp Turns

by Laurel Gross
January 11, 2008

Must it be pointed out that François and Louis Moutin are twins? Admittedly, it is a novelty to see these two handsome Gallic faces mirror-image each other in live performance, and on a special DVD side of Sharp Turns, by their Moutin Reunion Quartet. But live with them a little and it will become apparent that these multi-talented gentlemen are also singular individuals linked by a common passion, not unlike other committed jazz musicians who have played together for a ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Sharp Turns

by John Kelman
January 3, 2008

Plenty has already been written about François and Louis Moutin, co-leaders of the Moutin Reunion Quartet, and the special simpatico they share as twin brothers. Over the course of three albums, including Something Like Now (Nocturne, 2005), the bassist and drummer have evolved a contemporary approach that, despite being largely acoustic, borrows as much--philosophically if not sonically--from fusion groups like Weather Report as it does classic influences like John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. MRQ is also a powerhouse live group, ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like Now

by Ken Franckling
October 15, 2005

France's twin brother jazz combination, bassist François and drummer Louis Moutin, have just released their third Moutin Reunion Quartet recording in six years since the unit was formed as a showcase for their swinging, original compositions. It's another bop-rooted contemporary odyssey that is delightful in its scope and focus. The band is rounded out by pianist Pierre de Bethmann and the immensely gifted saxophonist Rick Margitza. Part 2 of the “Something Like Now title track provides a ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like Now

by Mark F. Turner
September 30, 2005

Those twins are at it again: producing some fine jazz.

Paris-born bassist François and drummer Louis Moutin continue their brand of in your face (more correctly in your ear) jazz that sharply illustrates of contemporary bop sensibilities. Previous recordings and extensive gigs in Europe and the US have earned them respect among critics and fans as musicians dedicated to fresh compositions and vigorous performance. Since their musical reunion in 1999, the brothers have led various quartets with ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like Now

by John Kelman
September 3, 2005

When twin brothers François and Louis Moutin brought their Moutin Reunion Quartet to this year's Ottawa International Jazz Festival, it was one of those surprise performances that created an immediate buzz amongst festival-goers. The intensely powerful quartet played with the kind of total engagement that grabbed the audience from the first note. While most people didn't know who the Moutin Reunion Quartet was walking into the show, it's a sure bet that they'll be remembering them for a long time ...

Moutin Reunion Quartet: Something Like Now

by Chris May
August 23, 2005

Louis and François Moutin are French-born twin brothers who play drums and bass. Since '97, when François relocated from Paris to New York, they've been separated by a few thousand miles, but have managed periodically to get together to tour and record as the Moutin Reunion Quartet. Saxophonist Rick Margitza joined the lineup in '04 for the group's second album, Red Moon, and pianist Pierre de Bethmann comes on board with Something Like Now.

Most of the time, ...