Thierry Maillard Big Band - Pursuit of Happiness (2018)

After a long discographic and scenic experience in the field of jazz, where Thierry Maillard has already been able to explore all the different facets of this music, from solo piano to septet, through the trio of course, and several orchestral experiences with strings ( especially with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra), Thierry Maillard realizes the work of his life, with the creation of this exceptional big band, which synthesizes all its influences and its various musical experiences, in a great melodic, harmonic and rhythmic whirlwind, for the pleasure of all, and pursuing happiness, of course!

After fourteen albums published in twenty years, Thierry Maillard realizes his most ambitious and crazy dream: a record for a big band of fifteen musicians chosen among the most emblematic of French jazz. Abundant compositions specially written for this grandiose project. A music that is both demanding and playful for a permanent fireworks where the beauty of the melodies is carried by a relentless volcanic groove. The major work of a musician as endearing as inspiring! Rich and dense compositions, with many colors and contrasts. A wonderfully structured music, with a stack of magical and secret drawers, and beautiful Russian dolls that fit into each other. A complex and rigorous musical writing, which requires a lot of concentration and commitment on the part of the musicians, but which is at the same time of a relatively easy access for the listeners, who are constantly transported by haunting and guided melodies by an irresistibly groovy rhythm. The influences of Thierry Maillard are diverse and varied, the lyricism and romanticism of classical music of course, the rhythmic force of jazz-rock, the daring of contemporary music, the elegance and the swing of the golden age of jazz. An obvious passion for the world of Frank Zappa who has integrated all these influences in his own music, for Bartok too, with his famous concerto for orchestra. An immoderate love for the harmonious melodies and audacities of Bill Evans and Chick Corea, and then an important album that served as a catalyst for "Pursuit Of Happiness", it is about "Wide Angles" that Michael Brecker published in 2003 and where he was magnificently surrounded by an orchestra of wood, brass, and strings (arranged by Gil Goldstein).

After writing the eight compositions of "Pursuit Of Happiness" and decided that the recording would happen far from Paris, in the beautiful setting of the foothills of the Cevennes, in Pompignan, in the studio Recall of the friend Philippe Gaillot, Thierry Maillard had more than to choose the seasoned musicians, ready to take up this incredible orchestral challenge. A big band of fifteen musicians who are practically all leaders and although they knew each other for the most part, they had never played together. It was necessary to learn to "ring" together, to adjust his instrument to others, and to bring a collective and orchestral instrumental color from fifteen instrumentalists who each have their individuality and singularity. The rhythmic nucleus of this big band is Thierry Maillard on piano, Hadrien Féraud on electric bass and Yoann Schmidt on drums. Together, they bring the foundations of energy, the roots of feeling, and the explosion of a permanent groove that will irrigate the entire orchestra. A set of five brass instruments: Claude Egéa and David Enhco on trumpets, Daniel Zimmermann and Sébastien Llado on trombones, and Didier Havet on tuba. Brilliant brass that sparkles constantly, with both finesse and power, and to which Thierry Maillard has left a lot of space where everyone can express themselves through flamboyant chorus: Claude Egea on Modern Times, David Enhco on Unknown Planet, Daniel Zimmermann and Sébastien Llado on The Dream Is Over. A desk of six woods in rich and varied colors with Ludivine Issambourg on the alto flute, Christophe Zoogonès on the flute, Stéphane Chausse on the clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto sax, Lucas Saint-Cricq on the alto and baritone saxophones, Stéphane Guillaume soprano and tenor saxophones, and Samy Thiébault on tenor sax. These six musicians will also each be honored in the compositions of Thierry Maillard. Stéphane Chausse's clarinet on Diverging, Ludivine Issambourg's alto flute on Hurricane, Christophe Zoogonès' flute on Modern Times, Stéphane Guillaume's impressive soprano sax on Pursuit Of Happiness, Lucas Saint-Cricq's alto sax on Albatros, and Samy Thiébault's tenor sax on Hurricane. Finally, on two titles, we note the presence of a guest of honor, a particularly delirious and inventive guest, a singular musician and real man-orchestra all by himself: the troublemaker Médéric Collignon! With his explosive horn game and the strong expressiveness of his vocals, he brings a touch of madness and poetry to Diverging and Albatross.