Simon Spang-Hanssen & Ear Witness at Le Baiser Sale

Whatever training he gathers around his saxophones, Simon Spang-Hanssen surprises with its freshness but also its modernity. The songs have either African, Middle Eastern or jazz accents; without giving the impression, at any time, of an exercise in style. Long based in Paris, the Dane has collaborated with big names in French and international jazz like Billy Hart, Denis Badault, Franck Tortiller…Ear Witness, a quartet with strong personalities, around a funk fusion project!Simon Spang-Hanssen surrounds himself with his longtime accomplice, the Caribbean pianist Mario Canonge, of Linley Marthe, this self-taught Mauritian bass player based in France, is known for the nervousness of his playing, his sense of rhythm and his virtuosity. He sometimes uses his cultural heritage to combine influences from jazz, African music, and Indian music. The Cameroonian polyrhythmic Felix Sabal-Lecco, collaborator of Manu Dibango, Youssou N'Dour, Peter Gabriel ..., completes in beauty this high-flying quartet. "Bass player and drummer get along like thieves in fair play on mischievous grooves. The leader sinks into relaxation among his always spicy compositions. "(F. Bergerot, Jazz Magazine)...

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Whatever training he gathers around his saxophones, Simon Spang-Hanssen surprises with its freshness but also its modernity. The songs have either African, Middle Eastern or jazz accents; without giving the impression, at any time, of an exercise in style. Long based in Paris, the Dane has collaborated with big names in French and international jazz like Billy Hart, Denis Badault, Franck Tortiller…Ear Witness, a quartet with strong personalities, around a funk fusion project!Simon Spang-Hanssen surrounds himself with his longtime accomplice, the Caribbean pianist Mario Canonge, of Linley Marthe, this self-taught Mauritian bass player based in France, is known for the nervousness of his playing, his sense of rhythm and his virtuosity. He sometimes uses his cultural heritage to combine influences from jazz, African music, and Indian music. The Cameroonian polyrhythmic Felix Sabal-Lecco, collaborator of Manu Dibango, Youssou N'Dour, Peter Gabriel ..., completes in beauty this high-flying quartet. "Bass player and drummer get along like thieves in fair play on mischievous grooves. The leader sinks into relaxation among his always spicy compositions. "(F. Bergerot, Jazz Magazine)

Quelque soit la formation qu'il regroupe autour de ses saxophones, Simon Spang-Hanssen étonne par sa fraicheur mais aussi sa modernité. Les morceaux ont des accents soit africains, soit du Moyen-Orient, soit de jazz ; sans pour autant donner l'impression, à aucun moment, d'un exercice de style. Longtemps basé à Paris, le Danois a collaboré avec de grands noms du jazz français et international comme Billy Hart, Denis Badault, Franck Tortiller… Ear Witness, un quartet aux fortes personnalités, autour d'un projet funk fusion ! Simon Spang-Hanssen s'entoure de son complice de longue date, le pianiste antillais Mario Canonge, de Linley Marthe, ce bassiste autodidacte mauricien installé en France, est reconnu pour la nervosité de son jeu, son sens du rythme et sa virtuosité. Il se sert parfois de son héritage culturel pour combiner les influences du jazz, de la musique africaine, et de la musique indienne. Le camerounais polyrythmique Felix Sabal-Lecco, collaborateur de Manu Dibango, Youssou N'Dour, Peter Gabriel…, vient compléter en beauté ce quartet de haut vol.  « Bassiste et batteur s’entendent comme larrons en foire sur des grooves espiègles. Le leader fonce en décontraction parmi ses compositions toujours épicées. » (F. Bergerot, Jazz Magazine)  

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