Fred Escoffier - Figures (2021)

Palm Unit (whose origin of the name is to be found on the side of the Palm label created by Jef Gilson).

The base group is made up of saxophonist Lionel Martin, keyboardist Fred Escoffier, with whom they blasted ethio-jazz in Ukandanz, and drummer Philippe Pipon Garcia particularly recognized with Erik Truffaz (who previously played in Land then Cosmic Connexion with Fred Escoffier). For the Figures album, drummer Jean Joly joins the group on bass.

Two discs precede the opus Figures. The first Homage to Jef Gilson (2018) on the Super Sonic jazz label and the second Don’t Buy Ivory Anymore (2019) to the music of Henri Texier on the Komos label.

The album Hommage à Jef Gilson featured guest Del Rabenja and Don’t Buy Ivory Anymore was developed with percussionist Abraham Mansfaroll.

After three years of playing these tribute repertoires on European stages, Fred Escoffier decided to take over from the group, this time offering his own compositions.

This project is a real challenge for Fred Escoffier who seeks to produce a new musical style. He tries a new approach in the composition process as he creates with computer machines then perfects with pen and then presents his compositions to his group. His way of composing for this project is unique to him. He renovates the music, experiments and then writes to give birth to original and elaborate compositions, embellished with popular references.

He will offer the group more than 20 compositions to finally keep only 7 and thus obtain a very dense repertoire.