Jazz Articles about Jean-Michel Pilc

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Jean-Michel Pilc: Follow Me

by Ken Franckling
October 3, 2004

French pianist Jean-Michel Pilc has made a name for himself as an adventurous musical explorer. Follow Me is his first solo CD after four trio recordings and one large ensemble project. The opening title track is sort of an invitation to follow him through his many moods. He shows himself to be a musical sculptor, chipping away until he's left with what a tune means to him. “Follow Me" and “Happiness Seven"--among four originals scattered throughout the recording--are ...

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Jean-Michel Pilc: Follow Me

by Jim Santella
September 11, 2004

A solo piano album is all about personal expression. The artist chooses to interpret with open harmony or denser measures, tightly packed or open wide. The rhythm, naturally, does not depend on teamwork. The artist is able to follow his muse freely.Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc captures the essence of jazz and blues; but he also permeates his interpretations with tinges of the classical music of a formative Western Europe. A native of Paris, the 45-year-old self-taught artist has been ...

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A Conversation with Jean-Michel Pilc

by Franz A. Matzner
November 6, 2003

Following-up the critically acclaimed trio album Welcome Home, Paris-born composer and pianist Jean-Michel Pilc recently released the stunning album, Cardinal Points, showcasing eight original compositions, including the extended work 'Trio Sonata.' The album was recorded by both Pilc's standing trio and a new quartet, and offers ambitious material of impressive density, depth, and determination. Already well established as a resourceful improviser, Cardinal Points confirms Jean-Michel Pilc as one of today's pre-eminent jazz composers. It was my distinct ...

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Jean-Michel Pilc: Cardinal Points

by Franz A. Matzner
October 12, 2003

A restless, cacophonous plunge formed of stylistic syntheses, rapid streams of tempo changes, textural reversals, sonic leaps, and rhythmic discords, Cardinal Points vaults toward new realms of jazz piano expression.Unlike many modern pianists, particularly those working in trio settings, Jean-Michel Pilc does not emulate the emotional vulnerability displayed and established by Bill Evans, that tight-rope walk of sensual suffering which both established the relevance of classical training to jazz and expanded the palette of emotive texture.Courageously, ...

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Jean-Michel Pilc: Welcome Home

by Mark Corroto
March 1, 2002

Attention DJ Diapers and baby-mixmasters, the original artists to utilize sampling in music were jazz musicians. Saxophonist Charlie Parker could quote any line from popular music within the context of any solo he was inventing. Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc picks up this tradition, and plays music with an intensely modern and hip technique.

Welcome Home is his first release for Dreyfus Jazz, but this Paris born musician recorded three discs for the Dutch Challenge records worth seeking out. Pilc's music reminds ...

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Jean-Michel Pilc: Welcome Home

by Mark F. Turner
March 1, 2002

In a galaxy of jazz stars, some members shine a little brighter than others do, even if they're not as recognizable. Pianist and composer Jean-Michel Pilc and his trio will be hard pressed not to go unnoticed here in the States with his latest stellar recording Welcome Home. Born in Paris in 1960 and a resident of New York City since the late 90's, Jean-Michel is renowned abroad as a musical virtuoso. Some of his many credits have been with ...

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Jean-Michel Pilc Trio: Live At Sweet Basil, Vol. 1

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2000

While pianist Jean-Michel Pilc may not be taking the jazz world by storm in terms of public recognition, he certainly takes an audience by storm during live performances.With the release of “Live At Sweet Basil, Vol. 1", and with the upcoming release in November of “Vol. 2", Pilc's fortunes certainly will change. He's a force at the piano who without a doubt can't be denied. Seemingly appreciated by a rather small coterie of enthusiasts and critics in the ...