Airelle Besson

Didier Squiban has been a loyal companion of the Orchester National de Bretagne for over twenty years. After the recording of his first two symphonies, the Symphonie Bretagne and the Symphonie Iroise, we were able to complete the symphonic trilogy imagined by Didier Squiban by recording in 2021, the Symphonie du Ponant, in the company of great performers such as Baptiste Trotignon on the piano and Airelle Besson on trumpet. La Symphonie du Ponant looks away, towards the seven islands off Brittany, towards the setting sun, towards the high seas… This symphony composed of Breton melodies is sublimated by improvisations proposed by masters of the genre. An orchestration full of colors, magnified thanks to the richness of a symphony orchestra and the direction of the Morlaisian Ariane Matiakh.

Still as inspiring as ever at 83 years old, Rhoda Scott has surrounded herself here with an impressive gang of contemporary jazz Amazonians for a track aptly called Lady All Stars which follows on from her Lady Quartet created in 2004 at Jazz in Vienna, with Sophie Alour on tenor saxophone, Airelle Besson on trumpet and Julie Saury on drums. In 2007, the saxophonist Lisa Cat-Berro replaced Besson. Rhoda Scott has joined forces with Géraldine Laurent on alto saxophone, Céline Bonacina on baritone and Anne Paceo on drums, and has also brought back Airelle Besson. Here Rhoda Scott has joined forces with Géraldine Laurent on alto saxophone, Céline Bonacina on baritone and Anne Paceo on drums, and has also brought back Airelle Besson. In short, some excess power to boost the funky DNA of this brass band. Behind her blazing Hammond, the American organist, supported by this rising generation of French jazzwomen, shows above all that her Leslie has not finished turning! “Playing with these young artists has inspired me and I have learned a lot from them. After concerts, some spectators have also told me that it makes them feel good, and that we are likely role models for their daughters.”

Almost three decades have passed since the "Prince of Cool" of jazz in Amsterdam was fatal. And still, is not quite clear, as the former band member of Charlie Parker - before the fictional choice posed - probably would have most likely defined itself: as a singer or as a trumpeter? The makers of the French Chet Baker homage album "Autour De Chet", from neo-chansonian Benjamin Biolay to this year's ECHO jazz winner José James, have now found the best of all possible answers: Baker was both , and much more.