Airelle Besson & Lionel Suarez - Blossom (2026)

Blossom' by trumpet virtuoso, composer and arranger Airelle Besson and accordionist Lionel Suarez, who perform a series of duets written and refined over the ten years they have played together as a duo.

A series of trumpet and accordion duets may seem unusual, but Besson and Suarez dispel that notion as the music unfolds. At times hushed and intimate, and at other times cantered on melody with clear understated lyricism.

Multi-award-winning Airelle Besson who made a name for herself on the European jazz scene with her clear and powerful playing is a much sought-after side-musician, as well as a band leader and established composer. Lionel Suarez has worked with a prestigious array of artists, including Richard Bona, Didier Lockwood and Charles Aznavour.

The album begins with the title track (Blossom) a light and immediate song composed by Besson. Also composed by Besson are 'Kyoto dans la brume', inspired by a stay in Japan's imperial city, and 'La Course', originally written for three slapstick short films by Fatty Arbuckle starring Buster Keaton.

Suarez's composition 'Sans laisser d'adresse', was initially written for a stage play titled 'Ici Nougaro', and his 'Le jour J a l'heure H' for a film by director Jean-Henri Meunier. 'Les Tuiles Bleues' is a nod to Suarez's late friend, Malagasy accordionist and singer, Regis Gizavo.

There are also three covers on the album, 'Answer Me' by Gerhard Winkler and Fred Rauch, a composition recorded by Keith Jarrett during his 2016 European tour; Besson cites Jarrett as a major influence. There is also Carla Bley's 'Ida Lupino' and Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays' 'Au Lait'. These and their own compositions result is Blossom'', a highly accomplished album on which trumpet and accordion shine in equal measure.