Vincent Bourgeyx : Life Letters

Vincent Bourgeyx had never recorded an entire album in a trio setting, and for his seventh opus, the Bordeaux-born pianist—who spent many years in the U.S. before returning to settle in France—chose two American partners, one of whom—Darryl Hall—has been living here for ages. This shows that Bourgeyx intends to carry on the long tradition of the American trio, which he continues in a highly convincing manner. Drawing on a repertoire of his own compositions (with the exception of a final theme by Billy Strayhorn, performed as a solo, as well as one of Bourgeyx’s own compositions), the pianist displays an eminently melodic style supported by a steady swing. These pieces exude a luminous and playful vision of jazz, evident in a touch of great purity and a lively phrasing that becomes dreamier on the ballads. Darryl Hall’s double bass provides the leader with substantial support and anchors the ensemble’s playing in a solid harmonic and rhythmic foundation. As for Gregory Hutchingson, his energetic and exuberant drumming infuses the ensemble with an extra burst of vitality, making it hard to remain unmoved by the enthusiasm the trio exudes. In a landscape where piano trios abound, Bourgeyx does not seek to stand out with an adventurous approach; rather, he stays true to tradition while infusing it with a personal voice rooted in his desire to make his piano “sing” as it brings his compositions to life with remarkable freshness and joy, perfectly illustrated by the pianist’s smile on the CD cover. This is an album that should delight lovers of beautiful piano playing and fans of lively, uninhibited swing.

Thierry Quénum

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