Ariane Racicot: Danser avec le feu

In 2013, Montreal-based pianist Ariane Racicot's performance of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" was captured on YouTube and went viral. This has been viewed over 18 million times, additionally garnering her a sizeable following on other social media platforms where she remains an active participant.

Her musical education followed a formal path with training in classical piano from the age of six, before switching to jazz ten years later. Her studies were completed at the University of Montreal and McGill. She founded her own trio in 2019; this led to the release of its first album, Envolée (Multiple Chord Music, 2022). This, in turn, has led to successful live appearances and invitations to open for Wynton Marsalis' Jazz and John Scofield.

Her trio is completed by drummer Guillaume Picard and bassist Antoine Rochefort. Rochefort plays electric bass, which broadens the textures and soundscape that the trio can achieve. Many of the pieces on Danser avec le feu are through-composed. This constant introduction of new material lends the album a constantly shifting vibrancy.

All of the eight tracks on the album are Racicot compositions, beginning with "Avant la tempête" (Before the storm). The opening percussion leads to melodic, classically-based piano before changing pace with fast single notes leading to an intense flowing improvisation propelled by driving bass and drums. This exciting opening track illustrates the chemistry of the trio and the foundation the musicians have built over their live appearances.

Racicot often incorporates elements of Latin music into her mix of influences. They play a part in a number of tracks, notably the playful melody of "Going For A Walk," which finds her piano blending with Rochefort's Latin rhythms and Rochefort develops this further on his electric bass with a terrific Spanish guitar-style solo opening to "There Is Some Hope."

The title track shows the trio's spirit and dynamism as they direct their energies into rapidly flowing improvisations. They are driven forward by Picard's inventive, vigorous rock-style rhythms and Rochefort's churning bass. Racicot is at her fast-moving, expressive best before closing out with repeating chords.

The piano trio format demands innovation to stand out and Racicot's trio delivers with their hybrid approach, combining elements of classical, Latin, rock, and fusion alongside the additional textures offered by the electric bass. The trio is not afraid to push boundaries but remain continuously inventive and its sometimes unconventional approach is a breath of fresh contemporary air. Racicot's flamboyance is palpable alongside her fiery playing and delicate touch, making this a distinctive and entertaining album.