After revisiting New Orleans airs, swing, gypsy, contemporary, jazz and classical music, Jean-François Foliez is unveiling a first album with a powerhouse quartet. Alongside pianist Casimir Liberski, back from a long stay in New York where he deepened his playing alongside musicians such as Ornette Coleman and Brad Mehldau, we find the solid rhythm section of Janos Bruneel (Hamster Axis) on double bass and Xavier Rogé (Ibrahim Maalouf) on drums that bring energy and precision to the arrangements. Jean-François Foliez is re-introducing the clarinet to a new generation of jazzmen in Belgium. He offers the instrument which is so emblematic of jazz a central role in his quartet, while leaving plenty of room for improvisation to his musicians.

Just like Benny Goodman and Sydney Bechet, Foliez can make his instrument swing using a refined vibrato and a sound that can be deep and dark, or sharp and fun. Jean-François’ “Playground” happily mixes influences from swing, classical and world music but keeps the very essence of jazz: associating the freedom of improvisation and the solidary of playing second after second.

Foliez called on a group of 9 musicians, mostly from the Liège Philharmonic and Walloon Royal orchestras. A string quartet, flute, bassoon, trumpet and vibraphone grace two tracks in the repertoire.
“A first record that is ambitious and an artistic success. Eddie Daniels can sleep in peace, the relief is on its way.” (J-P Schroeder, Maison du Jazz à Liège)

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