Meddy Gerville - "Tropical Rain" New Release on Dot Time Records

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Pianist, composer and vocalist Meddy Greville has been likened to a fresh summer breeze in a music world of rare exceptions. He has been electrifying audiences the world over since 1997 with his intricate and compelling synthesis of jazz and Maloya, indigenous music of his native Reunion Island (located in the Indian Ocean, East of Madagascar). Born in St. Pierre - the largest city in southern Reunion Island - Meddy's diverse projects have seen him regularly tour Europe, Africa and the U.S.A. working with world-class musicians such as Sixun bass player Michel Alibo, Dominique Di Piazza, percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo, Cuban drummer Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez, Matthew Garrison and World Music icon Danyel Waro, to name but a few.

Meddy's music is characterized by the explosive rhythms of his native island played on various homegrown instruments including 'rouler, ' 'kayanm'and 'ravan' drums, much of which help account for his astonishing originality. His voice has often been compared to Milton Nascimento and Al Jarreau, however these comparisons fail to capture the unique timbre and rhythmic intensity of his soulful and nuanced vocal approach.

"Tropical Rain" (released January 6, 2017) features thirteen original compositions ranging from the romantic ballad "Carmile" (written for Meddy's daughter) to "Si zer gran martin", a unique fusion of jazz and Maloya, characterized by rhythms of his native Reunion Island.

"Tropical Rain" features a star studded line up including:
Randy Brecker (trumpet), Giovanni Hidalgo (percussion),
Lionel Loueke (guitar), and Michel Alibo (bass).

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