Gregoire Maret - Gregoire Maret (2012)

Prepare yourself for the most important debut jazz recording since Esperanza Spaulding broke through a few years ago. Gregoire Marét is not only a musicians musician as evidenced by the testimonials above but hes a charismatic virtuoso whose musical concepts are at once highly melodic, soulful, swinging, and elegantly exploratory.

On his debut album, Gregoire proves himself to be a master interpreter of works by Chick Corea, Milton Nascimento, Stevie Wonder, Pat Metheny, and others; and also an impressionistic composer of great panache and sophistication in his own right. The selections are extended, diverse, richly textured and always engaging.

Supported by an impressive cast, including vocalists Cassandra Wilson and Raul Midòn, and bassist Marcus Miller, Gregoire Marét has brought forth that rare creation in todays jazz an album that is simultaneously forward-looking and in the moment. State of the art, 2012.

Tracklist:

1. Lucilla's Dream
2. The Secret Life of Plants
3. The Man I Love (feat. Cassandra Wilson)
4. Travels

Crepuscule Suite
5. 5:37 PM (Intro)
6. Crepuscule (feat. Marcus Miller)
7. 4:28 AM (Outro)
8. Manha Du Sol (feat. Raul Midon, Tami Samantha Hayes)
9. Prayer (feat. Mark Kibble, Alvin Chea)
10. Lembra De Mim

Children's Suite
11. The Womb
12. Children's Song
13. Outro
14. O Amor E O Meu Pais (feat. Toots Thielemans)
15. Ponta De Areia

Personnel:

Gregoire Maret: harmonica, vocals
Federico G Pena: piano, taicho harp, percussion, vocals
James Genus: electric bass, vocals, acoustic bass
Clarence Penn: drums, vocals
Brandon Ross: soprano acoustic guitar, 6- and-12 string acoustic guitar
Jean-Christophe Maillard: acoustic guitar, taicho harp
Jeff "Tain" Watts: drums
Alfredo Mojica: percussion
Bashiri Johnson: percussion
Mino Cinelu: percussion
Cassandra Wilson: vocals
Stephanie Decailet: violin
Johannes Rose: viola
Fabrice Loyal: cello
Marcus Miller: fretless bass
Toots Thielemans: harmonica
Robert Kubiszyn: acoustic bass
Gretchen Parlato: voice
Janelle Gill, Adia Gill, Clyde Gill, Micai Gill: vocals
Soumas Heritage School of Music Ensemble
Sinfonia Viva Orchestra