Jazz Articles about Joëlle Léandre

Joelle Leandre / India Cooke: Journey

by John Sharpe
January 17, 2011

Joëlle Léandre's name on the sleeve guarantees invention and passion. Over the years, the French improvising bassist has made the duet format one of her prime modes of expression, pairing, in recent years, with George Lewis and Jean-Luc Capozzo on just two recent examples from a discography now more than 150 strong. Further swelling the ranks, this live date from the 2008 Conference of the International Society for Improvised Music matches Léandre with Bay Area violinist India Cooke.

Joelle Leandre: Last Seen Headed (Live at Sons D’Hiver); Trace & Duo (Heidelberg Loppem) 2007

by Wilbur MacKenzie
June 12, 2010

Joëlle Léandre/François Houle/Raymond StridLast Seen Headed (Live at Sons D'Hiver) Ayler2010 Joëlle Léandre/Maguelone Vidal/Raymond BoniTraceRed Toucan2009 Anthony Braxton/Joëlle LéandreDuo (Heidelberg Loppem) 2007 Leo2009 Bassist Joëlle Léandre is a quintessential representative of the connection between free improvisation and European classical music. The early stages of her career ...

Joëlle Leandre / Francois Houle / Raymond Strid: Last Seen Headed: Live at Sons d'Hiver

by Eyal Hareuveni
June 4, 2010

It is always amazing, but also reassuring, to realize how three creative and resourceful musicians--French bassist Joëlle Léandre, Canadian clarinetist François Houle and Swedish drummer Raymond Strid-- can produce such a masterful piece of art out of a spontaneous free-improvised meeting. Obviously, all three have shared the same stage or studio in the past, most recently on 9 Momemts (Red Toucan, 2006), and are masters in free improvisation--in solo formats or in assorted ad-hoc outfits--but still, each new collaboration sounds ...

Joelle Leandre / Maguelone Vidal / Raymond Boni: trace

by Jerry D'Souza
November 26, 2009

Improvised music is created on the spur of the moment, the players looking for the common thread from which they can go in different directions as they spin their story. The logic of continuity is integral, even if they build it in pieces that may at first seem incongruent. Bassist/vocalist Joëlle Léandre, saxophonist/vocalist Maguelone Vidal and guitarist Raymond Boni blend their instruments and imaginations, delving into the unusual and fathoming the unexpected. The end result is fascinating.

Léandre ...

Joelle Leandre: Duos with William Parker and George Lewis

by Eyal Hareuveni
October 24, 2009

French double bassist Joelle Leandre needs no introduction. She has gained a legendary status as one of the best free improvisors of recent decades, always ready for new challenges and opportunities to perfect her art. These two arresting recordings, both totally improvised, with close comrades double bassist William Parker and trombone player George Lewis, offer two different angles on such well-fulfilled opportunities.

Joelle Leandre & William Parker Live At Dunois Leo Records 2009

Since ...

Joelle Leandre / George Lewis: Transatlantic Visions

by John Sharpe
October 23, 2009

Joelle Leandre / George Lewis: Transatlantic Visions

by Stuart Broomer
October 7, 2009

Recorded at Vision Festival XIII in 2008, this pairing of French bassist Joelle Léandre and American trombonist George Lewis brings together two of the most gifted and committed musicians in improvised music. They've been acquainted since the '70s and distinguished themselves as duo improvisers in the best company. (Among their individual highlights are the former's duets with Derek Bailey and Steve Lacy and the latter's with Anthony Braxton and Evan Parker). The intense commitment with which they ...