STÉPHANE GALLAND & THE RHYTHM HUNTERS
“Hunting for rhythm, as if our lives depended on it, as if, without rhythm, we’d starve to death. Can body and soul live without rhythm? Seizing its different forms, dissecting it, ingesting it, digesting it, could very well be akin to the Rhythm Hunters’ creative process. What are the rhythmic principles that lead us to develop its polyphonic, groovy and trance-like aspects (Africa), or mathematically complex ones (India), or irregular pulsations that transcend asperities (Balkans), among others?
To go on a rhythm hunt, why not explore all these places, appreciate the infinite diversity of rhythms and, back home, try to understand and experiment with enriching your own rhythmic vocabulary with the basic principles underlying each musical tradition. What can these principles contribute if you transcend borders and begin to adapt your musical knowledge and experience to the new ramifications of the rhythm you’ve just discovered? The music of The Rhythm Hunters is one of the answers.
A few years ago, the musicians in this band and I began a specific practice on unusual mixes of rhythmic ideas,inspired by traditions from various parts of the world, with the intention of integrating them until they became a personal vocabulary and means of expression. The result is on this album.” – Stéphane Galland
Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters was born to transmit Stéphane Gallands musical journey with other musicians. The goal is to integrate rhythmic principles from his travels to different parts of the world into a personal musical language. It’s a sequel to Stéphane’s previous project “(the mystery of) Kem”.
The objective is to explore different approaches to rhythm, that seem unusual and complex at first and to integrate them into a fluid musical discourse. This process requires extensive collective work, so that the whole group becomes familiar with these new rhythmic concepts and challenges.
The group consists of Shoko Igarashi on tenor saxophone (Japan), Sylvain Debaisieux on alto saxophone who already played in “(the mystery of) Kem”, trumpet player Pierre-Antoine Savoyat (France), Wajdi Riahi on piano (Tunisia) and Louise van den Heuvel on electric bass (the Netherlands). Drummer Stéphane Galland composed the pieces as different musical territories where rhythm hunting is highly recommended…
The debut album of Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters is out now (April 26th) on Challenge Records. Bring your adventurer ears!
“This album is a source of energy, enthusiasm, beauty, peace and serenity.”
– Le Soir
“A strong album by a grandmaster of rhythm.”
– De Standaard
“Stéphane Galland’s compositions are not mere tunes; they are ecosystems. Each musician contributes to the delicate balance, their instruments like rare fauna. The saxophones weave narratives, the piano sketches landscapes, and the bass anchors us. And at the heart of it all, Galland’s drums -both shaman and scientist- guide us through this rhythmic wilderness.”
– All About Jazz
Shoko Igarashi (JP) – Tenor saxophone
Sylvain Debaisieux (BE) – Alto saxophone
Pierre-Antoine Savoyat (FR) – Trumpet
Wajdi Riahi (TN) – Piano
Louise van den Heuvel (NL) – Electric bass
Stéphane Galland (BE) – Drums
INSIDE JAZZ MANAGEMENT
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Jens Tytgat
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The Netherlands
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THE CREATIVE CHINA
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China
Lesley Zhang
COLORE
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France
Laurent Carrier
