We catch up with jazz exponent Erik Truffaz before his gig in Hyderabad

Ahead of his performance in the Bonjour India Jazz Festival, Erik Truffaz talks all about jazz and his collaborations. 
Erik Truffaz
Erik Truffaz


French jazz musician Erik Truffaz grew up in a musical environment back in the 60’s, thanks to his father, a saxophonist himself. He discovered the magic of performing on stage with his father and went on to join his dance band. But what garnered him international attention was his second album, The Dawn, with popular American jazz record label, Blue Note Records. 

As a part of Bonjour India’s Jazz Festival, the artiste will be performing in Hyderabad, along with his band, the Truffaz Quartet. This is not the first time Erik is visiting the country. In fact, he has worked with artistes including Swiss pianist Malcolm Braff, Table exponent Apurba Mukherjee and vocalist Indrani Mukherjee, for The Indian Project, where he captured the sounds of Kolkata and Varanasi. This time around, he will be collaborating with Mumbai-based Shadaab Kadri, known by his record name Riatsu. “Though I’m used to working with electronica music, I’m quite excited about this one because we’re going to compose music specifically for this project,” shares Erik.

Shadaab Kadri
Shadaab Kadri


The Swiss-born trumpeter has an experimental approach towards jazz, making him a cutting-edge composer. Often compared to the American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, Erik is also known for his fusion-styled compositions with modern tunes of acid rock, hip-hop and electronica. “Among the different genres I work with, I really enjoy rock from the ’70s, Indian music for the atmosphere and French classical music from early century,” says the 57-year-old trumpeter, adding that his music is quite cinematographic. “There are up-tempo and down-tempo tunes, atmospheric rhythms and all these contrasts build a music that keeps the audience in suspense,” he adds.


A winner of the Prix Special, one of France’s prestigious jazz awards, Erik feels that the music industry is not evolving at a pace it actually could. “Though the genre is, in a way, disappearing, the possibilities of recording are growing. This is an interesting paradox and it opens up to opportunities to many new musicians with fresh tunes,” he explains.

Apart from his upcoming tours to Germany, Russia and Haiti, Erik is working on an album with Kenny Larkin, a DJ from Detroit. “I’m also working on a film soundtrack for Sandrine Bonnaire, a series for French television and I’m writing for Different Voices, a project that is a tribute to a Gregorian chant,” he adds.

Entry free. On December 3, 9 pm onwards.
At Phoenix Arena, Hyderabad. Details: 2355-4485


— hariniprasad.a@newindianexpress.com
@ HariniPrasad13

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