ÉMILE PARISIEN QUARTET & LOUIS SCLAVIS

Saxophonist Emile Parisien is causing a stir internationally with his eccentric, dynamic music. His Paris-based band will perform with Louis Sclavis, ‘the contemporary figurehead of European jazz clarinet’ (FD).

Emile Parisien has been voted French jazz musician of the year several times, the Le Monde newspaper has called him ‘the best new thing that has happened in European jazz for a long time’ and now the saxophonist is gaining increasingly more recognition outside of France for his exciting mix of styles. His main quartet has been called ‘a caffeinated response to The Bad Plus by the New York Times. The guardian praises the group’s ‘jaggedly restless soundworld’, switching between quiet, almost contemporary classical themes and lightning-fast swing, between ambient percussion and frenetic rock drums. At the Bimhuis the foursome will perform with French jazz veteran Louis Sclavis, renowned for his fabulous technique on bass clarinet.

‘Instigator of some of the most musical, formidably skilful yet wackily diverting adventures in recent European jazz, Parisien can be a spiky avantist, but he’s a devoted Sidney Bechet admirer, too’ (The Guardian, ***** for the album Sfumato by Émile Parisien).

The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 till 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).