Mario Canonge Trio / French Quarter 2026 at Smalls Jazz Club

Mario Canonge is one of today’s foremost French jazz pianists, acclaimed for his virtuosity, versatility, and deep Caribbean influences. Born in Martinique, he has forged a 40-year career with 20 solo albums, major collaborations, and performances in over 70 countries. After moving to Paris in the 1980s, he co-founded the influential fusion group Ultramarine, then created Kann in 1991, producing standards like “Lésé palé” and “Peyi mwen Jodi.” He later co-led groups such as Sakesho, CAB, and Quint’up, while collaborating with Paquito D’Rivera, Maraca All Stars, Courtney Pine, and others. Named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2013, he pursued acclaimed projects including Rhizome, Mitan, and the Quint’up albums, and developed a strong trio identity....

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Mario Canonge is one of today’s foremost French jazz pianists, acclaimed for his virtuosity, versatility, and deep Caribbean influences. Born in Martinique, he has forged a 40-year career with 20 solo albums, major collaborations, and performances in over 70 countries. After moving to Paris in the 1980s, he co-founded the influential fusion group Ultramarine, then created Kann in 1991, producing standards like “Lésé palé” and “Peyi mwen Jodi.” He later co-led groups such as Sakesho, CAB, and Quint’up, while collaborating with Paquito D’Rivera, Maraca All Stars, Courtney Pine, and others. Named Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2013, he pursued acclaimed projects including Rhizome, Mitan, and the Quint’up albums, and developed a strong trio identity.

In 2023, he released the live Mario Canonge Trio album and was voted among the top three pianists of the year by Jazz Magazine and Jazz News, with TSFJAZZ ranking his album among the year’s best.

Mario Canonge, pianiste et compositeur martiniquais emblématique, est reconnu mondialement pour son jeu virtuose, ancré dans la tradition de son île, et pour son influence majeure sur les pianistes antillais contemporains. Au fil de sa carrière, il a exploré des styles variés et innovants, du jazz à la fusion, au sein de groupes comme Ultramarine, Kann, Sakesho, Quint’Up ou le Mario Canonge Trio.

Son trio actuel, avec Michel Alibo à la contrebasse et Arnaud Dolmen à la batterie, allie virtuosité et complicité, donnant naissance à Caldeira, un répertoire inédit à paraître début 2026. Véritable légende vivante, Mario Canonge continue de redéfinir le jazz caribéen grâce à son talent, sa créativité et son tempérament solaire.

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