Gael Rakotondrabe, a pianist and composer from La Réunion, stands out for his eclecticism and virtuosity. He is the only French pianist to have won the Montreux Jazz Festival International Piano Competition, under the honorary presidency of Quincy Jones. From film scores to astonishing artistic encounters, from skilful orchestrations to urgent improvisations, he multiplies collaborations and connivances. He has worked with artists such as Antony and the Johnsons (Anohni), CocoRosie, David Byrne, Charles Aznavour, Woodkid, Hugh Coltman and Ayo. He also composes scores for films presented at Sundance, Tribeca, Venice and Cannes. From a Beatles classic, And I Love Her, to another, Because, he evokes immense legacies (My Funny Valentine, In a Sentimental Mood, I Fall In Love Too Easily...), recalls Philippe Sarde's sublime Chanson d'Hélène, and delivers Shadow, the album's eponymous title track, one of his many compositions that he finally shares. Airy and tight at the same time, this music unfolds Gael Rakotondrabe's singular identity, always between two shores and always concerned with emotional clarity. ...
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Gael Rakotondrabe, a pianist and composer from La Réunion, stands out for his eclecticism and virtuosity. He is the only French pianist to have won the Montreux Jazz Festival International Piano Competition, under the honorary presidency of Quincy Jones. From film scores to astonishing artistic encounters, from skilful orchestrations to urgent improvisations, he multiplies collaborations and connivances. He has worked with artists such as Antony and the Johnsons (Anohni), CocoRosie, David Byrne, Charles Aznavour, Woodkid, Hugh Coltman and Ayo. He also composes scores for films presented at Sundance, Tribeca, Venice and Cannes. From a Beatles classic, And I Love Her, to another, Because, he evokes immense legacies (My Funny Valentine, In a Sentimental Mood, I Fall In Love Too Easily...), recalls Philippe Sarde's sublime Chanson d'Hélène, and delivers Shadow, the album's eponymous title track, one of his many compositions that he finally shares. Airy and tight at the same time, this music unfolds Gael Rakotondrabe's singular identity, always between two shores and always concerned with emotional clarity.
Gael Rakotondrabe, pianiste et compositeur originaire de La Réunion, se distingue par son éclectisme et sa virtuosité. Il est le seul pianiste français à avoir été lauréat du concours international de piano du Montreux Jazz Festival, sous la présidence honorifique de Quincy Jones. De musiques de films en rencontres artistiques étonnantes, d'orchestrations savantes en improvisations urgentes, il multiplie les collaborations et les connivences. On a pu notamment l'apercevoir aux côtés d'artistes tel qu'Antony and the Johnsons (Anohni), CocoRosie, David Byrne, Charles Aznavour, Woodkid, Hugh Coltman, ou encore Ayo. Il compose également les scores de films présentés à Sundance, Tribeca, Venise ou Cannes.D'un classique des Beatles, And I Love Her, à un autre, Because, il évoque des héritages immenses (My Funny Valentine, In a Sentimental Mood, I Fall In Love Too Easily...), remémore la sublime Chanson d'Hélène de Philippe Sarde, et livre Shadow titre éponyme de l'album, une de ses nombreuses compositions qu'il partage enfin. Aérée et resserrée à la fois, cette musique déploie l'identité singulière de Gael Rakotondrabe, toujours entre deux rives et soucieux partout de la clarté émotionnelle. « Inattendu et époustouflant » TELERAMA « une révélation sortie de l'ombre » France Musique« Gael Rakotondrabese révèle comme un pianiste éminemment lyrique et sensible(…) TSF JAZZ
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