Jean Chaumont - The Beauty of Differences (2018)

A Parisian for 30 years, guitarist-composer Jean Chaumont relocated in late 2014 to Princeton, New Jersey, where his American wife, Andrea, came to study. Inspired not only by his new surroundings but by the political dysfunction of the times, Chaumont began to compose intensely. He quickly realized he was laying the groundwork for The Beauty of Differences, his extraordinary debut, co-produced with pianist and founder of the Misfitme label Enoch Smith, Jr. (who plays organ on three tracks). “This album can be thought of as a spiritual journal, recording the changes in my inner being during my own cultural adjustment and this challenging time in the world,” Chaumont says. “The Beauty of Differences is an invitation to open our eyes in a new way, to celebrate the richness of this earth and everything that it holds.”

Playing a close-miked Eastman hollow-body guitar (with subtle amplification) as well as steel- and nylon-string acoustic guitars, Chaumont summons a strikingly crisp and warm sound and imbues his compositions with a bountiful lyricism, intricacy, and rhythmic propulsion. On The Beauty of Differences, he shines at the helm of a core band with drummer Rudy Royston, pianist Michael Bond, saxophonist Sam Sadigursky and bassist Ike Sturm. And as special guests, they welcome eight-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton, percussionist John Hadfield, Indian carnatic vocalist Vinod Gnanaraj, and pianist Enoch Smith Jr on organ.

Co-producing the album with Smith, founder of the Misfitme music label, Chaumont devoted the proceeds to the nonprofit Villages In Partnership, with funds earmarked to provide clean and accessible water for the people of Malawi’s Sakata region, in southeastern Africa. Every album sold will provide clean drinking water for one person for life.