Jazz Articles about Pierre Bensusan

Pierre Bensusan: Altiplanos

by Jerry D'Souza
May 12, 2005

Among several facets Pierre Bensusan brings into play on the guitar are the influences he has absorbed and the technical skills he brings to bear. The latter sees him use fingertapping and harmonics, a chunky fleshing of the chords, overdubbing, and a creativity that opens a wide pasture in which he lets his melodies roam without losing control. As well, he tunes his guitar in the nonstandard DADGAD tuning.

Benusan wraps himself comfortably in the cocoon of a ...

Pierre Bensusan: Altiplanos

by John Kelman
April 29, 2005

Sometimes it's all in the fingers. Give a guitar to two players, ask them to play an identical phrase and there will be a difference. It's about physiology--the physical characteristics of the fingers and how they touch the strings. It's about phrasing--the emphasis of some notes over others and the subtle nuances between those notes. And it's about personality--a more assertive player may sound harsher, or more rushed, than someone who has a generally more relaxed approach to life.

And ...

Pierre Bensusan: Altiplanos

by Jim Santella
April 27, 2005

Guitarist Pierre Bensusan creates a gentle mood on this, his tenth solo album. Applying fingerstyle technique to soft ballads and lyrical ramblings, he sets his original compositions on the table for casual contemplation. Each piece flows smoothly with emotion, as a treasured folk song would carry out its purpose on its listening audience.

Singing in French, he tosses off a timeless message that carries its meaning to all corners of the world. All nations have this one experience ...

Pierre Bensusan: Intuite

by Jim Josselyn
November 1, 2001

Performing an entire program of solo guitar is quite a challenge. Range, dynamics and tone are some of the inherent pitfalls of the instrument. More classical and new-age folk than jazz, Pierre Bensusan tackles the challenge straight ahead on “Intuite" with mixed results. “Kadourimdou" opens the session with a provocative, bluesy, muted bass figure, percussive slaps and exotic chords. This piece works on a number of levels; it’s cerebral and rhythmically uplifting, while displaying extremely important elements of jazz - ...