Ludovic Ernault - Ludovic Ernault Quartet Live (2021)

At not even 30 years old, the saxophonist and composer Ludovic Ernault has already created an individual musical universe for himself. Having been deeply immersed very early on in the music of Lennie Tristano and Lee Konitz, and fascinated by Thelonius Monk, he also engaged with more contemporary influences such as Mark Turner and Ben Van Gelder. From all these influences he forged his own personal synthesis.

As a composer, Ludovic Ernault is one of the few musicians today who believe that harmony, far from being an overly explored territory, is home to undiscovered and colourful beings, if only you take the time to look under unturned rocks. This unique point of view is reflected throughout the compositions featured on this album.

Listening to him on the alto saxophone you can of course pick up on the impact of Lee Konitz, but also many other influences : the lyrical arpeggios of Mark Turner, a subtle vibrato, infinite dynamics. His mastery of tone is most striking: large and rounded in the middle range, with an encapsulating softness, and an entire palette of delicate bursts in a higher range that give his playing an emotional intensity. Ludovic Ernault is without a doubt a musician that prefers to suggest rather than to underline.

All the previous characteristics that could be appreciated in his previous album Dreamland can be found in this new opus. Ludovic has chosen to surround himself with the same team of talented musicians (Enzo Carniel, Simon Bernier, Florent Nisse), only this time the album is a live recording of the performance that took place at l'Espace Sorano in Vincennes, France in February 2019. The recording completes the portrait of the artist that came across in his previous work as we can appreciate the freedom and spontaneity with which he plays. On the evening of this recording, the planets were evidently aligned. Ludovic Ernault and his partners were inspired, uplifted and at moments in a state of grace. It is definitely the case on the first track, Dreamland, in which Enzo Carniel and Ludovic Ernault delightfully intertwine melodic lines, answering, predicting and anticipating each other. It's a moment in which improvisation edges towards inebriation.

Such moments of grace can be heard throughout the recording. From an analytical view point, Ludovic Ernault makes the most of a rhthym section with incredible groove (for example on Mars), and he makes use of their support in deciding whether to arise from their foundation or to dive into the mass. There are beautiful moments of contemplative lyricism, for example in Reina, a magnificent composition where time seems to stand still. The Ludovic Ernault Quartet is able to create both dense and precise compositions, as well as atmospheres full of mystery, like in Hommages, where Florent Nisse's bass hollows and broadens the space around him. Angels pass by, as so do ghosts. The entire album is imprinted with a rare and precious poetry.

—JF Mondot (Jazz Magazine)

Ludovic Ernault (as)
Enzo Carniel (p)
Florent Nisse (b)
Simon Bernier (ds)