Pierre Van Dormael - Vivaces (2001)

The music of VIVACES is built on the confrontation between rhythmic cyclesand harmonic or melodic images that are both complex and simple. Everything that could touch people and the hearts, souls and bodies of men and women – for whatever reason – has its place here, independently of any stylistic or cultural reference.

Van Dormael studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, and has taught at the Dakar Conservatory, Senegal, where a number of tracks of this new CD were composed. Van Dormael has been fortunate enough to play with musicians such as Philip Catherine, Steve Coleman, Bill Frisell and Soriba Kouyaté. He has also been the motor behind numerous groups, including Nasa Na (with Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Stéphane Galland and Fabrizio Cassol), which later became Aka Moon.

VIVACES brings together the various styles of music that interest him into a work that exposes the listener to different esthetic textures, and all the possible combinations.

Three very different sax players provide horns and improvisation: Bo Vanderwerf on baritone (inspired by the modes of Messiaen), Nicolas Kummert on tenor (inspired by the rhythms) and Manu Hermia on soprano (inspired by Californian and Brazilian sunshine).

To provide harmonies in these contrasts, electric and acoustic keyboards: Kris Defoort (his yang / jazz) with Anne Wolf (his yin / emotion).

For the groove and mathematical rhythms: Stéphane Galland and Chander Sardjoe on drums, with their finely-tuned, contemporary musical sensibilities. Ben N’Gabo and the magic of traditional uneven rhythms from Rwanda on tambour and djembé. Michel Seba and the Latin heat of his congas. Benoît Ruwet on Senegalese sabar, and Otti Vanderwerf (the earth) on bass, with Pierre Van Dormael (the air) on guitar.