Take Five with Stephane Querry

Meet Stephane Querry:

I started piano at age eleven. After studying in different music schools, I have been in the classical piano scholarship of Michel Prady, and have been luckily enough to selected inside the prestigious professional classroom of France Clidat at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris from 1999-2003, where I developed my technique in classical music. I started learning jazz (harmony, piano improvisation, band formation, and rhythm) in David Patrois' classroom in the music conservatory of the 5th district of Paris in 2003, and also in other jazz schools. I am very interested in composition—I composed a post romantic piano concerto, several classical transcriptions for trio, and now, "Jazz Songs for Jazzy Sky" (Give My Charlest being my latest release).

Instrument:

Piano

Teachers And/Or Influences?

I discovered jazz studying with David Patrois, who is one of the best vibraphonists of our time, and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Coming from classical music where we are alone in front of a piano, it had been incredible to play in a jazz band, to take part to a common adventure, to discover the world of improvisation, to listen the others, to have much more musical freedom. I still have recordings of my first student concerts. My family was also friends with Jacques Loussier from the "Plays Bach Trio." He was so humble and so funny; his music and piano skill always impressed me (as well as his Miraval recording studio!). A great source of inspiration!

I Knew I Wanted To Be A Musician When...

I watched a movie called The Doors from Oliver Stone. I was young, and I realized how much music can reach people. I also fell in love with their music and their very specific sound which is produced by the marriage between organ, electric guitar and bass keyboard. I still can play some of their best songs, as "Light my Fire" or "Riders on the Storm"!

Your Sound And Approach To Music?

My biggest fear when I write music is to bore the listeners. So, I always try to write music that will make people feel something, whatever that might be. There is nothing worse than being totally indifferent to music! Music is not written for its beauty, but for the emotion it brings.

Your Teaching Approach:

I was in Patrois' classroom, and I came from the classical world, so I was reassured to have plenty of scores in front of me (scales, licks, etc.). David came to me, removed all my scores, and told me: "The music should come from your heart, not from pieces of paper." I think this is the best lesson a teacher can give a student!

Your Dream Band:

When I was young, I was often dreaming about playing songs with The Doors, especially Jim Morrison (singer), Robby Krieger (guitar), John Densmore (Drums). I loved Ray Manzarek (organ) and his style, but there could not be two organs in a single band!

Road Story: Your Best Or Worst Experience

We were finishing a classical piano summer school, conducted by France Clidat, and after all our lessons and student concerts, we all spent an afternoon together. There was a piano, and I played a song called "Que reste-t-il de Nos Amours" from Charles Trenet, with a jazz arrangement. France Clidat then came to sit with me at the piano, and started to improvise with me. I think this is the only time in her entire life that "Madame Liszt" played jazz; this was one of the best musical memories of my life.

Favorite Venue

Le Caveau des Oubliettes in Paris—the jazz spirit at its best!

Your Favorite Recording In Your Discography And Why?

In classical music, Sergei Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto #2, by Earl Wild. To me, it is one of the greatest masterpieces of all time! No other music makes my heart and my soul soar in such a way. In jazz, several live recordings of Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock, and Jack DeJohnette, in which they play some of my favorite jazz standards from the broadway song book. In vocal jazz, "Lullabies of Birdland" (Decca, 1955) by Ella Fitzgerald.

What Do You Think Is The Most Important Thing You Are Contributing Musically?

I have taken part to a remix contest (organized by Ariane Group) of an EDM musical piece: "Love on the Edge," by Pyramid. I have been lucky enough to be among the winners, and the Jazzy Sky remix has been released on a recording. It has been very interesting to try to marry EDM and jazz, and to show it is possible to include improvisations and jazz language in EDM music.

Did You Know That...

I wrote jazz music for the show of a well-known humorist/comedian in France: Pierre Pechin

The First Jazz Album I Bought Was:

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue (Columbia, 1959)

Music You Are Listening To Now:

Jazz and vocal jazz playlists created by streaming platforms (they start to know my tastes!)

Desert Island Picks:

-Sergei Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto #2 by Earl Wild (Next Music, 1990) —Frederic Chopin, Piano Concerto #1 by France Clidat (Forlane, 1991) —"Play Bach 93" albums by the Jacques Loussier jazz trio (Note Productions, 1993) —Any recordings from Bill Evans, Michel Petrucciani, Keith Jarrett, Fred Hersch, etc. —Any vocal jazz recordings from Melody Gardot, Sarah McKenzie, Eliane Elias, Diana Krall, or Ella Fitzgerald

How Would You Describe The State Of Jazz Today?

A sadly well-known joke: "A rock musician plays three chords for 20,000 people, and a jazz musician plays 20,000 chords for three people." I'm nostalgic about when jazz was so popular, but the music world has changed a lot in the last decades. But to me, vocal jazz still has a large audience thanks to the great stars we all know like Melody Gardot, Sarah McKenzie, Eliane Elias, Diana Krall and others.

What Are Some Of The Essential Requirements To Keep Jazz Alive And Growing?

Vocal jazz stars should multiply collaborations with the greatest jazz musicians, by introducing longer instrumental parts. This could bring the vocal jazz audience to discover artists they don't know, and then to listen to more instrumental jazz. Vocal jazz should also remain full of freshness and innocence! I love how Norah Jones' music can be pure, and it reaches so many people. Jazz, at least some part of it, should stay accessible to a large audience.

What Is In The Near Future?

Several jazz singles will be released by Jazz Sky in the following months.

What Is Your Greatest Fear When You Perform?

At the beginning, my biggest fear was to hit wrong notes, especially when playing classical music. But after many years, it was to not being able to bring pleasure or emotion to the people, which is the real role of music in my opinion.

What Song Would You Like Played At Your Funeral?

Sergei Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto #2.

What Is Your Favorite Song To Whistle Or Sing In The Shower?

I never sing and/or whistle—it is very trying for me and my entourage.

By Day:

Too much time in front of the screen of my computer.

If I Weren't A Jazz Musician, I Would Be A:

Scientist. I am unfortunately not a full-time musician, I also have a PhD in applied mathematics, and perform research engineering in several different fields.

If I Could Have Dinner With Anyone From History, Who Would It Be And Why?

In science, I would have been so happy to meet Katherine Johnson whose life has been revealed to the world through the fantastic movie "Hidden Figures." I would have loved to learn how she has been able to invent all the mathematics which were needed to send a man into space. In music, I would have been so thrilled to meet Ella Fitzgerald, just to hear her voice, in real time!

Comments