Romain Pilon

Romain Pilon grew up in France and started to play the guitar at the age of 10 inspired by AC/DC's lead guitarist, Angus Young. Romain studied with various private teachers in his hometown before entering the Jazz Conservatory of Chambery in 1997. After auditionning for the famous Berklee College of Music, he was awarded a scholarship and moved to Boston for 4 years where he studied with world class musicians including Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, Dave Santoro, Joe Lovano and Peter Bernstein. During his studies Romain was presented with 3 Berklee College music awards and in 2002 his quartet opened for Pat Metheny, representing the entire school guitar department of over 1000 students. Whilst in Boston Romain performed Christian Scott's debut CD featuring Walter Smith III.

After receiving his degree in Jazz Perfomance, Romian moved to New York where he played with musicians like Ferenc Nemeth, Lionel Loueke, Seamus Blake, Matt Brewer, Carlos Henriquez, Jerome Sabbagh, Albert Sanz, Rob Stillman...

Now based in Paris, aside from performance and his own artistic projects, Romain teaches jazz improvisation, composition and guitar. He has played in many prestigious venues and festivals such as Malta Jazz Festival, Pizza Express (London), Jazz Bar (Edinburgh), Jazz in Marciac, Jazz à Couches, Crescent Jazz Club, Duc des Lombards, Sunset/ Sunside (Paris), Centro Quatro (Belo Horyzonte), Recife Jazz festival, Blue note (Milan), Amr (Geneva)... In 2004 he formed his band with tenor saxophonist David Prez, the David Prez/ Romain Pilon Group. To date, they have released two CDs to critical aclaim, "...probably one of the most sincere and enthousiasthic jazz groups to emerge in france" Jazz Magazine-Jazzman.

Since 2010 he is a member of the Paris Jazz Underground collective, reuniting six autonomous musicians who aim at exposing their music through their combined endeavor. Their last album received the highest rating in Jazz magazine (Choc). His first trio record as a leader, recorded in Ny, with Colin Stranahan (dr) and Matt Brewer (bs) was released in April 2012. It was selected among the 7 "Chocs" (highest rating) of august in Jazz magazine, also among the 6 best releases in Jazz News August 2012.

In october 2013 Romain released his second album as a leader : "Colorfield" (Whirlwind Recordings/Proper Music/Harmonia Mundi). It features Walter Smith III on tenor sax, Michael Janisch on bass and Jamire Williams on drums.

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