Back to France

I had the pleasure of returning to France during the first half of 2002 to do a little tour with a band which bassist Olivier Gatto put together called ‘The 360 degree project’. The members are Mark Turner, Ravi Coltrane and Benjamin Henocq. I really enjoyed it...and I loved playing with Benjamin. He’s a really great drummer and we got on so well musically and personally. In fact, his manager is working on a tour for us for next year. It will probably be a trio or quartet. I hope to record with singer Brisa Roche as well while in France. I really love her singing and we met in such an interesting way. At the end of the first ‘360 degree’ gig when the audience had left the hall, I sat down at the piano and played some standards – just on my own. A small but appreciative crowd, which included Brisa, gathered: I knew she was a singer because her band had played the first set. Anyway, I invited her to sing with me and we were there till four in the morning. It was so spontaneous and beautiful. She really has something of her own to contribute to the art of jazz singing – this is important for me because I don’t like copycats. I hope this tour comes off next year, because I still have a great affection for France.