AL JAQ
Photograph by: Arnaud Bachelier
A Biography by Scott Galloway
AL JAQ (Alex Jacquemin) is a modern french american jazz fusion guitarist with
a driving penchant for originality, daring and challenge. Born in Paris France in
1971, he did not pick up his first guitar until the age of 16, but worked on his
mastery of the intrument with such disciplened devotion that he was formally
teaching others how to play by his fourth year. In 1993, Al JAQ attended the
CMCN, a French modern music school that gave him his jazz groundwork. He
finished first of his promotion in three semesters then stayed on to teach for two
and a half more years. Then he flew over to Boston in America and spent a year
at prestigious Berklee College of Music where he encountered many inspiring
players. Alex next returned to France and immediately became a fixture on the
Parisian jazz scene, playing in all kinds of unusual combos and as a leader in his
own right. Renowned for his amazing ability to blend into any musical scenario,
Alex played in a number of eclectic bands and also performed with his own
groups throughout Europe in major venues and festivals, and recorded a number
of albums in ever-changing styles. An ambitious and original player, composer,
arranger and band leader, Alex brought his skills to New York in 2007 to delve
deeper into shaping his own style and sound.
Now with the thoroughly illuminating new album Spontaneous Compositions as
an astounding and spellbinding entry point into the 360-degree artistry of
amazing Wolrd Jazz Fusion guitarist Al JAQ, the melodic French American
modernist is poised to break all bonderies and take all the world, upon
imagination sparking aural journeys of wonder.
FRENCH BIO
Alex Jacquemin a commencé la guitare à l’âge de seize ans. Autodidacte dans
ses premières années de blues et de rock, il s’imprègne de l’enseignement du
guitariste Louis Soler, auprès duquel il étudie un certain sens de la musicalité
ouvert à tous les styles, et attaché aux mélodies et à la maîtrise technique. Un
long passage à partir de 1992 au CMCN (Centre Musical et Créatif de Nancy)
d’élève à professeur le forme à la connaissance des standards de jazz, et lors
d’un séjour d’une année au « Berklee College of Music » de Boston en 1996-97,
il côtoie les meilleurs jeunes musiciens internationaux du moment qui l’amènent
à développer un style personnel. Une ouverture sur la plupart des styles
musicaux majeurs lui a permis d’aborder le jazz en y mélangeant les éléments
essentiels d’autres couleurs, que se soit lors d’un solo ou dans l’écriture d’une
composition. Très actif sur la scène jazz parisienne et newyorkaise entre 1997
et 2015 ainsi que sur la scène Caribéenne ces dix dernières années, on a pu
écouter ses trios, quartets et quintets plus de 200 fois dans les meilleurs clubs et
festivals.
La discographie actuelle d’Alex Jacquemin comporte 9 albums. Son dernier opus
"Spontaneous Compositions" a été enregistré en France en 2025 et propose des
improvisations de Jazz Fusion teintée d'influences méditerranéennes sous un
format original en Trio guitare avec looper, batterie et saxophone avec effets.
Basé à New York et dans les caraïbes depuis 2007 et habitué de la scène
internationale World Jazz Fusion underground, on a pu écouter ses concerts
avec diverses formations dans de nombreux pays depuis son premier
engagement professionnel au Festival de Guitare de Vittel en 1993.
SPANISH BIO
Una biografía de Scott Galloway
AL JAQ (Alex Jacquemin) es un guitarrista de música Fusión y Jazz moderno,
francés americano, con una gran inclinación por la originalidad, la osadía y el
desafío. Nacido en París, Francia en 1971, no cogió su primera guitarra hasta
los 16 años, pero trabajó en su dominio del instrumento con tal entrega
disciplinada que terminó a los 22 años, primero de su promoción, en Jazz y
Fusión en el CMCN, la escuela europea de música moderna más grande de la
época. Luego, después de enseñar en esa misma escuela por más de 3 años,
voló a Boston en Estados Unidos en 1995 y pasó un año en el prestigioso
Berklee College of Music. Alex volvió a Francia e inmediatamente se convirtió en
un elemento fijo en la escena del jazz de Paris, tocando en todo tipo de combos
inusuales y como líder por derecho propio, hasta que decide llevar sus
habilidades a Nueva York en 2006 para profundizar su estilo y sonido propios.
Reconocido por su asombrosa habilidad para integrarse en cualquier escenario
musical, Alex tocó en varias bandas eclécticas en los EE. UU. y Europa,
mientras grababa algunos álbumes propios en estilos siempre cambiantes y
tocaba en muchos clubes de jazz de Nueva York su nuevo concepto de
composiciones espontáneas con el pedal de la estación de bucle. Ahora
residente en el Caribe desde 2014, en una búsqueda constante de integrar
nuevas culturas y estilos en su música Fusion, Alex se presenta en escenarios
con el pedal de la estación de bucle en forma de pura improvisación solitario, o
con varios invitados, con el concepto original de crear música espontáneamente
sin comunicación alguna con sus compañeros musicales para capturar la belleza
de tocar en el momento presente.
Alex Jacquemin describe su sonido como influenciado de manera más indeleble
por el gigante inglés del blues-rock Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth el maestro de la
guitarra vanguardia virtuosa, y el ícono del jazz estadounidense Pat Metheny. Lo
que Alex ha logrado de todo lo que ha estudiado, experimentado y
perfeccionado es un estilo de juego notablemente atractivo y accesible que
incorpora una asombrosa facilidad técnica con profundas conexiones
emocionales. Esto se logra a través de su cálido sentido melódico informado por
los sonidos de jazz, rock, pop y músicas del mundo que ha adoptado a lo largo
de las décadas.
El nuevo álbum, Composiciones Espontáneas, es un punto de entrada
asombroso y fascinante al arte de 360 grados del guitarrista de fusión de jazz, Al
JAQ. El melódico modernista franco-estadounidense está listo para romper
todas las ataduras y tomar todo el mundo, con imaginación que despierta viajes
de maravilla.
CEDRICK BEC
Photograph by: Luis Pellecer
Cedrick BEC Biography
Born in 1980 in France, he discovered the drums and got passionated for this
instrument at the age of 15. From 1996, he took lessons in the Serge Puchol
Drum School where he obtained the 1st Prize of Excellency with unanimity in
2002.
He followed his musical studies at the IMFP and in the Regional Conservatory of
Marseille and graduated with a 1st Prize with Spécial Congratulations of Jury and
the SACEM Prize in 2004.
In parallel, he played with numerous musicians as Henri Florens, Emile Atsas,
André Villeger, Philippe Renault, Benoit Paillard, Philippe Canovas, Vincent
Strazzieri, Paul Pioli, Raphaël Imbert, Christophe Leloil, Philippe Petrucciani, and
quickly become one of the most demanded drummer in the region.
In 2005 and 2006, the bands Newtopia quintet (Raphael Imbert, Yaron Herman,
Simon Tailleu, Stephan Caracci) and In & Out Quartet (Cyril Benhamou) in which
he was a member, won alternately the 1st band prize of the national jazz
competition of the Defense.
In 2007, it was with the band Dress Code that this same competition
awarded him the 2nd prize of instrument aside with Simon Tailleu.
He signed in 2008 with the Japanese Canopus Drums Company.
Since 2009, he has played in the Yaron Herman's trio on the most
famous stages and festivals in the world. This same year, he co-produced the
album Falling Grace of the american pianist Ben Aronov.
In 2011, he worked with Nicolas Folmer and Benoît Sourisse for several
concerts.
In 2012, it was as a guitarist that he accompanied the singer Kevin Norwood for a
duet around Joni Mitchell's music.
In 2013, he toured with Nicolas Folmer in 12 countries of West Africa.
In 2014, he recorded the original soundtrack of the movie « Merci les jeunes »
from Jérôme Polidor, composed and produced by Benjamin Rando. He was also
part of the musical "Tersis" from Jean-Luc Granier.
He has had notably the occasion to play with Ambrose Akinmusire, Michel Portal,
Riccardo Del Fra, Wynton Marsalis, Under Kontrol, Jamshid Chemirani, Tigran
Hamasyan Seamus Blake, l’Ensemble Contraste, Gustavo Ovales, Chris Cheek,
Chuck Israel, Baptiste Herbin, Ben Aronov, Mancef Genoud, le Quatuor Ebene,
Zim Ngawana, Logan Richardson, le Quatuor Manfred, Archie Shepp.
Formerly endorsed by Canopus Drums Company (Japan), then by Art Custom
Drums (since 2019) and Heat Drumheads in 2026
"Cedrick Bec is now among the most active and versatile french young drummer
of his generation and continues to share music in many bands with the same
soulful and exciting drumming"
Canopus Drums Company
Selected Discography :
-Corinne Lettelier – Le Calice – (oct. 2006) Orchard / Chicken Madness
-Newtopia – Suite Elegiaque – (nov. 2006) Zig-Zag Territoires (Choc Jazzman)
-Sixtine Group – Pieces For Christmas Peace – (nov. 2006) Zig-Zag Territoires
(*** Jazzman) -Knom – Summerhill Suite – (2007)
-Aurelien Arnoux – Zougo Trio – (2008)
-Sextet Christophe Leloil – ECHOES – (fev. 2009) AJMIseries (**** Jazzman)
-Marion Rampal – Own VIRAGO – (2009) Compagnie Nine Spirit
-Ben Aronov trio – Falling Grace – (dec. 2009) Les indépendants/Mozaic Music
(*** Jazzman) -Benoit Paillard trio – Don't touch it – (janv. 2010) Arche
Music/Label Durance (**** Jazzmag) -Mild Dream quartet – Real Brother – (nov.
2011) – Terres de son
-Dress Code quintet – Far Away – (mars 2012) La Fabrique (Révélation
Jazzmag)
-Nicolas Koedinger 5tet – Childhood Memory – (Juin 2013)
-Kevin Norwood– Reborn (Nov. 2014) AJMIseries
GILLES GRIVOLLA
GILLES GRIVOLLA Biography
Coming from a family of musicians, I began my musical education with my father—an orchestra conductor and choir director—starting with the study of piano and then violin. It was at the age of 15 that I chose the saxophone, joining the Conservatory of Marseille and later orienting myself toward the world of jazz and improvised music.
After training at the CMCN in Nancy (MAI), and then at Berklee College of Music in Boston, I have since followed an intense and diverse professional path, rich in collaborations with numerous artists of both regional and international stature.
After many years living abroad, particularly in the United States and Venezuela, I had the opportunity to work on stage and in the studio alongside artists such as Jimmy Bosch, Oscar D’Leon, Orlando Watussi, Cheo Feliciano, Antonio Sanchez, Mariannick Saint Ceran, Alfredo Naranjo, Biella Da Costa, Zumbao, Maria Rivas, Joel Uriola, Orlando Poleo, Grupo Madera, Accoules Sax, SafSap, Bituaya, Frankie Vasquez, Yolanda Rivera, Bijan Chemirani, Nene Quintero, Fabiola Jose, Cyril Achard, Pibo Marquez, Laure Donnat, Bruce Gertz, Zebda, Pedro Barboza, Diabloson, Ray de la Paz, Cyril Benhamou, Pablo Espinoza, Leonel Ruiz, Alexis Tcholakian, Javier Campos, Chiara Civello, Pascal Versini, Luisito Quintero, Jorge Glem, Antonio Mazzei, Ana Kobayachi, Nicolas Folmer, Christophe Dal Sasso, and others.
I have taken part in numerous recording projects across a wide variety of genres, and I have also worked as a performer, arranger, and producer in the audiovisual field, for television and cinema (TF1, M6, Arte, Vertigo, France Télévisions, TVES, Ávila TV, VTV, etc.).
While fulfilling my career as a performing musician, I have always dedicated a large part of my time to teaching, both in France and in Venezuela. I contributed to the founding of the EiM (Escuela Itinerante de Música) in Caracas, taught at IUDEM, and also collaborated with the “El Sistema” project, as well as with members of the Simón Bolívar Big Band Jazz.
Now back in France after nearly 10 years in Venezuela, I hope to make the most of my experience and share my passion for music, jazz, and the family of wind instruments.
Selected discography: Canaima World Jazz, Carlos Nene Quintero 5tet, Trio Mediterraneo, Laure
Donnat, Pedro Barboza, Leonel Ruiz, Fabiola Jose, Gabriel Davila, Fabby Olano,
Zumbao, Heriberto Rojas, Boris Sudres, Grupo Madera, Rafael Quintero,
Zumbadera, SafSap, Bituaya, Alex Jacquemin, Pibo Marquez, Claudio Amico,
Afrocodigos, Roberto Jiron, Renaud Barbier, Maria Rivas, Joe Uriola, Javier
Campos, Mariannick St Ceran, Cheo Linares ...