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Renaud Garcia-Fons :: Entremundo
by ENJA Records

NJA Records Total time: 50'36

Renaud Garcia-Fons (5-string bass)
Jorge "Negrito" Trasante (drums, percussion)
Antonio Ruiz "Kiko" (flamenco guitar)
Guests: Henri Tournier (bansuri, flutes)
Claire Antonini (t?r, baroque lute)
Gaston Sylvestre (cymbalon)
Angel Sanchez-Gonzalez (palmas)
Bruno Caillat (tablas, kanjeera)
Philippe Slovinsky (trumpet)
Allen Hoist (tenor sax)

From 1987 to 1993 Renaud Garcia-Fons was part of the unique French all-bass ensemble L'Orchestre de Contrebasses before starting his journey as a soloist that led to his instrument's full emancipation. "I have developed a new language for it," says Garcia-Fons, "so it appears to be a Spanish guitar by imitating the rasgueado in one moment, then sounding like the guembri, the bass instrument of the Berbers, or again it can sing like a viola or a Persian violin." Arguably the most amazing double bass player in the world, Garcia-Fons is known for his overwhelming virtuosity, his Mediterranean melodic sense and his charming con-arco sound. Garcia-Fons shows a wide array of influences including not only jazz and classical but also flamenco, new musette, tango, Celtic, Andalusian, African, Latin American, Arabic and Indian traditions. His unique artistry led to many exciting and successful collaborations with other globally minded players like Rabih Abou-Khalil, Michael Riessler, Dhafer Youssef, Nguy?n L?, G?rard Marais, Pedro Soler, Cheb Mami and Michel Godard.

On his latest album, "Navigatore" (2001), Garcia-Fons was assisted by 22 international musicians who brilliantly performed his evocative original material. World music magazine "Rhythm" read: "A triumphant celebration of international composition; not to mention Garcia-Fons' emotive, often multi-tracked, 5-string contrabass playing. Along with layers of bass textures, he intelligently juxtaposes a wide array of multinational influences, traversing the globe in service of his unique musical vision. Garcia-Fons' command of orchestration, expert musical penmanship and profound skills as an instrumentalist place him in an echelon truly deserving of the accolade 'genius.'"

In the tradition of his prize-winning albums "Oriental Bass" and "Navigatore", Garcia-Fons concentrates on a flamenco-influenced core group on "Entremundo." The three of them explore what might be called a global vision based in the musical sounds of Andalusia. On their trip they are assisted in changing personnels by a bunch of experienced world music and jazz players who add a wide range of additional colors such as bansuri, cymbalon, lute, tablas, trumpet and handclapping. On his sixth album for ENJA, Garcia-Fons focuses his talents in an burning artistic statement that is at the same time pleasingly listenable and daringly visionary.

Sheet music available at: http://www.enjamusic.com
published 30.06.2005© 2005 jazz news :: home page

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