Described in terms such as “power trio”, “supergroup” and “heavyweight”, Grand Pianoramax easily testify to being greater than the sum of their parts. The deceptively skimpy lineup of keyboards, drums and rapper belies the aural magic monster that lurks beneath the surface. Elegant piano/rhodes, razor sharp drums and urban-edged rap/poetry jostle and come together to create a fiery fullness of sound that has become their distinctive trademark since the band’s inception in 2008.
A rich, emotive soundtrack that already hints at the light and shade which is to follow
Tonight, the Jazz Onze+ crowd are warm and receptive towards their errant Swiss son, keyboard maestro and band leader Leo Tardin, who has over the years immersed himself in foreign locations such as New York and Berlin to develop his sound until recently relocating back to his native Geneva. Much of tonight’s tracklist comes from the latest Grand Pianoramax LP, “Till There’s Nothing Left”, released on ObliqSound last spring and is met with appreciative familiarity indicative of an audience who’s been paying attention.
The skimpy elements are eased in gradually. Leo seduces us gracefully with “Firefly”, a captivating and melodic solo start on the piano, creating a rich, emotive soundtrack that already hints at the light and shade which is to follow.
Joined on stage by drummer, Dom Burkhalter – a modernist fist in an iron glove – the friendly duel quickly evolves between the two main musical elements, at times rolling around happily side by side, other times in stark stylistic contrast to one another as though wanting to stretch the listener’s awareness to its fullest capacity.
Two herculean pillars laying down a spectacular multi-textured foundation…
The play-fighting relationship between keyboards and drums is what underpins the essence of Grand Pianoramax, two herculean pillars laying down a spectacular multi-textured foundation on which the third element, Black Cracker, can nimbly unleash his craft of language and movement. This Alabama wordsmith and charismatic agent provocateur forges an agile bridge between the audience and the stage, bringing things down from a powerful sonic ride to a more urban, earthly, NYC dimension using rap, poetry or song.
In common with each track is a strategic sense of rise and fall, density and space. It’s an occasionally challenging but always engaging journey. The rhythmic patterns and shapes vary from mercurially dark (“Cry Alone”, “Runaway”, “Have You ever Seen”) to quirkily funky, bouncing along like De la Soul meets Michel Legrand (“Nights Turn To Days”), and hard-edged urgency complete with strobe lights (“Call it Like You See It” and “Roulette”).
In the case of Grand Pianoramax, less is definitely more
An effortless cohesion of threads coming together is felt during ‘Till There’s Nothing Left’, their most radio-friendly hit, a subtle suggestion that crossover to commercial polish is possible if so desired. ‘The Hook’ provides the encore, a track remixed by DJ Spinna and put out on vinyl a few years back, an example of what can work well in a club setting as through the headphones of the rap enthusiast or jazz muso.
It’s a consummate work performed by heavyweights in their field. Honed down talent and acumen has produced an act that can adeptly bend styles and cook up a rhythmic frenzy on only three burners. In the case of Grand Pianoramax, less is definitely more.
Grand Pianoramax played @ Festival Jazz Onze+ in Lausanne on the 31th of October
Das Pauschenpferd auf Reisen: Die fünfköpfige Art-Rock-Jazzband 
Was erwarten wir von Kunst? Dass sie gefällig ist, sich und ihren Kanon ständig wiederholt und uns in unseren Haltungen bestätigt? 
There is resounding evidence that Dr Catherine Hakim was bang on the money when she wrote a book asserting that those who use beauty, physical fitness, charm and sexiness will find success (Honey Money: The Power of Erotic Capital) and it’s especially true in the music industry. “I am so sad about what I see today, what are the role models for young girls? Mostly women stars who don’t represent the feminist way of thinking, but represent the sexual object,” says vocalist Elina Duni when I ask her about women’s image in music, “but you can take a stand and decide what emphasis you will apply to your image, if any, or what it says about you.”
when establishing a ‘brand’. If any artists out there are flinching as I use the word ‘brand’, consider the creative accomplishments of Björk, one of the most magical musicians of my generation whilst being one of the strongest brands. Brands enable people to get who you are and, if it’s strong or unique, remember it. You may not say Eric Vloeimans’ indulgence in colourful clothes and ‘funky’ shoes launched his career, but you could see how his image, along with his playing has set him apart.
Samuel Blaser has found himself experimenting more with visuals such as photos and videos and, like Duni, recognizes their importance as publicity. They also have both relished these added dimensions to their creativity. Blaser met Polish video maker, Ewa Kozanecka in New York and asked her to shoot something for a shorter version of Pieces of Old Sky. “I don’t know if it was totally useful because we did it like a piece of art.” From a listener’s point of view that video held the music more firmly in my memory. And that’s where videos and photos can really assist musicians – by etching their sound into the consciousness of the public. Rusconi are a band that have also naturally partnered with video to explore ways to extend their expression.
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A leur sortie, les mélancolies orientalistes de « The Other Strangers », avaient suscité quelques incompréhensions délicieuses dans la presse jazz, charmée autant que bousculée dans ses certitudes par ce drôle d’objet sonore. Certains usèrent même sans trop y croire, le terme de « pop folk », plutôt incongru pour un exercice de style aux confins des traditions hébreuses et indiennes, avec une approche résolument contemporaine. Des questions vite levées lors du passage d’