Altered States - A New Jazz Project coming December 2024
In collaboration with Brooklyn Music School, Altered States seeks to challenge the constraints and labels imposed on Jazz by embracing spontaneity, openness, and authenticity in performance. It aims to break free from traditional genre definitions, particularly the perception the perception of Free Jazz as inaccessible, promoting a truly open and liberating approach to composition and performance. Through concerts, workshops, and collaborative sessions, the project cultivates an environment where musicians can explore new sonic territories without fear of judgement, while audiences are encouraged to interpret compositions freely. The project draws inspiration from French and American jazz traditions, blending elements to create a transatlantic musical experience that defies convention. Educational workshops and masterclasses will be offered in New York City and Paris, focusing on improvisation, composition and performance techniques for students of all levels. Learn more about the four musicians encompassing this project below!
JUlia Richard
Julia grew up just outside of Paris, raised by music-loving parents—a Mexican mother and a French father. This culturally rich background fostered her early exposure to an eclectic mix of musical influences, with a particular affinity for Edith Piaf, Led Zeppelin, and Sting, alongside other legends such as Barbara Streisand, The Beatles, and Whitney Houston.
From a young age, Julia was drawing musical inspiration from a diverse array of genres, which later fueled her unique artistic journey. She began composing at the age of 11, using her foundational guitar skills to explore and blend various musical styles. Her work is deeply influenced by French chansons and the powerful vocals of international artists, which she skillfully combines with the complex rhythms and sounds of rock, pop and jazz.
Julia’s discovery of jazz and the double bass at 24 was a turning point, deepening her passion and shaping her future in music. She pursued her new interest with dedication, leaving a formal education at the CRR de Paris to explore jazz more freely, focusing on the influential bass lines of icons like Ray Brown, Larry Gales and Paul Chambers.Her musical explorations led to the formation of her jazz trio, a significant presence in the Paris jazz scene. Julia’s trio has won multiple jazz competitions, including three prestigious awards in 2023. She is currently preparing to record her debut album, which is anticipated for release in April 2025, showcasing her versatile and rich musical voice.
JOWee omicil
Jowee Omicil is a visionary musical virtuoso whose artistry transcends conventional boundaries and genres. As a musical polyglot, composer, producer, and educator, he seamlessly fuses Afro-Haitian rhythms with spiritual jazz, free jazz, and hip-hop grooves to create a unique sound that is unmistakably his own. Born in Montreal to Haitian parents, Jowee's musical journey began in his father's church, where he discovered the saxophone as a powerful means of spiritual expression. Influenced by a wide range of music, from hymns to Michael Jackson and 2Pac, and mentored by the legendary Ornette Coleman, Jowee's eclectic background fuels his boundless creativity. His musical journey has taken him from his Caribbean roots to Berklee College of Music and the vibrant New York City scene. Collaborations with esteemed artists like Ornette Coleman, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Miller, Wyclef Jean, and André 3000, as well as serving as a master of ceremony at Quincy Jones' 85th birthday celebration at Montreux Jazz, underscore his significant impact on the music world.
Jowee commands an impressive array of instruments, including saxophones, clarinets, flutes, trumpets, keys, and vocals, and his virtuosity shines through in every performance. His innovative fusion of styles and profound wisdom transform each concert into a journey of discovery, creating a unique and compelling artistic presence. Embracing life as a continuous learning experience, Jowee's philosophy enriches his sound and inspires his genre-defying compositions. His sharing sessions become dialogues that reveal profound insight, challenge convention, and inspire personal discovery, making Jowee Omicil's artistry not only exceptional but unforgettable.
tiss rodriguez
Tiss Rodriguez is a Paris-born drummer and composer, deeply rooted in the jazz scene through his family's iconic jazz club, Le Baiser Salé, located on the famous Rue des Lombards. Growing up, Tiss was immersed in diverse musical influences, from African and Caribbean rhythms to Latin American sounds, long before jazz became his primary passion. His father, also a drummer, introduced him to the instrument at the age of 10. Tiss honed his skills under the mentorship of renowned musicians like Mohktar Samba, Lukmil Perez, and Richard Bona, and furthered his studies in Bahia, Brazil.
Tiss's love for jazz truly blossomed after meeting jazz drummer Leon Parker, which led him to explore a unique melodic approach to rhythm. He later studied in New York with masters like Greg Hutchinson and Jeff Ballard. A key figure in the Paris jazz scene, Tiss has collaborated with prominent artists such as French singer Catherine Ringer, Mayra Andrade, and Sebastien Tellier. He has earned multiple awards, including several at European jazz competitions, and has performed in prestigious venues worldwide.
As a musical director, Tiss has led tours with Bonnie Banane and Aluna, showcasing his versatility across genres. His extensive studio work includes recordings with artists like Clara Ysé, Amel Bent, and Catherine Ringer, reflecting his wide-ranging influences and unrelenting curiosity for different musical styles. Throughout his career, Tiss has made significant television appearances and contributed to notable jazz films, cementing his reputation as a dynamic force in contemporary music.
val JEanty
Val Jeanty, also known as Val-Inc, is a Haitian Afrofuturist, drummer, turntablist, and professor at Berklee College of Music. Jeanty is a pioneer of the electronic music sub-genre called Afro- Electronica or Vodou-Electro, incorporating Haitian Folkloric rhythms with digital instrumentations by synergistically combining acoustics with electronics, thus the archaic with the postmodern. Jeanty’s Afro-Electronica performances have been showcased at the Whitney Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and internationally at the Venice Biennale in Italy and the House of the World’s Cultures Museum in Berlin. Jeanty is the recipient of various grants and fellowships including the 2017 Van Lier Grant, the NYSCA/Roulette 2019 Residency Grant, the 2022 NYU/CBA Toulmin and the 2024 United States Artists Fellowship.