Jah Jazz Orchestra

Presentation

Born from Lausanne-based jazz musicians’ passion for jamaican music from the 60’s, and in order for them to share it on stage, Jah Jazz Orchestra is a group of friends that want to spread good vibes, give and have a good time.

Drawing from instrumental ska groups as well as the big band tradition, the band explores the threads between these genres to create a unique blend of groove and improvisation. Ska, reggae, rocksteady : the arrangements revisit standards from the jazz and ska repertoire as well as some emblematic film scores in a whole new and exciting way !

Line-up

Léon Phal • alto sax
Louis Billette • tenor sax
Shems Bendali • trumpet
Zacharie Ksyk • trumpet/trombone
William Jacquemet • trombone
Theo Duboule • guitar
Andrew Audiger • keyboards
Yves Marcotte • upright bass
François Christe • drums

Introducing Jah Jazz Orchestra

This first album revisits compositions from jazz legends of different eras such as Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Henderson as well as two classics from the Skatalites repertoire (Ska La Parisienne and King Solomon). The original arrangements set these tunes in grooves ranging from ska to reggae, and from rocksteady to two-tone.



Beyond this diversity, the unity of Introducing Jah Jazz Orchestra is hinted at by its title : it introduces the listener to a new band with a distinctive sound. A powerful horn section that can build a massive wall of sound as well as intricate lines and fiery solos. A rock-solid rhythm section that knows how and when to react in an interactive way.



The twelve tunes presented here, recorded during an intense two-days session, are a testament to the group’s spontaneity. The resulting music is fresh, full of surprises, and reflect the facets of both jazz and jamaican music : light and dark, deep and upbeat, simple and refined – always rooted in the tradition.