Mathis Picard - The Sound Orchestra (2026) [Hi-Res]

Pianist, composer and producer Mathis Picard — a Frenchman of Malagasy descent, a Juilliard School graduate based in New York — releases the debut album of his large ensemble The Sound Orchestra on November 6 via La Reserve Records. It is not a conventional big band record: the music is rooted in jazz but fueled by rhythms from Madagascar, Afro-Cuban music, 1970s funk (above all Earth, Wind & Fire), as well as UK garage, house and dubstep. Picard says the band’s main goal is to make listeners dance, and that is how he measures success.

The idea for the ensemble was born when Mathis was 13 and led a similar group at Chetham’s School of Music in England. In the US the project began as a three-horn lineup featuring Giveton Gelin and Ruben Fox, and grew into a full orchestra with a saxophone section, electric bass and a large percussion section. Among his influences are Duke Ellington and Fats Waller.

The announcement comes with the single “Portrait of Lizzy,” a reimagining of the standard “Portrait of Jennie” dedicated to Picard’s wife. It is released on the couple’s third wedding anniversary; they married at Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a place central to his career. The orchestra has played dance nights there, including one celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire. Picard has performed with Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant and others, at Montreux and Umbria Jazz, received the ASCAP Next Generation of Songwriters recognition, and is a member of the Montreux Jazz Foundation.

Tracklist:
1. Mathis Picard - FearLess
2. Mathis Picard - A Bigger Picture Pt. I (Truth)
3. Mathis Picard - A Bigger Picture Pt. II (Hope)
4. Mathis Picard - JitterBug Waltz
5. Mathis Picard - Portrait of Lizzy
6. Mathis Picard - InnerChild
7. Mathis Picard - SunRise
8. Mathis Picard - Ho Azy
9. Mathis Picard - RoundPoint