The workshop will focus on four aspects:

Vocabulary – how to create tension and release using different tools such as bebop language, intervallic approach, triads and pentatonics.

Playing What You Hear: various techniques to develop your ears.

Groove and Time Feel: how to work on your inner pulse.

Comping in Various Contexts: backing a singer, playing in a duo situation, big band, modal jazz, trio and more.

For all instruments. Open to all!

French guitarist and composer Romain Pilon is one of his country’s most gifted and lauded contemporary jazz artists. Pilon started playing guitar at age 10, exploring all kinds of music throughout high school and eventually went to Conservatory in his native France before gaining a full scholarship from the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston. After his U.S. sojourn (where his group was chosen to open for Pat Metheny out of 1,000 guitar students) he lived between Paris and NYC, performing with some of the worlds great improvising musicians: Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, Walter Smith III, Leo Genovese, Ben Wendel, Ibrahim Malouf, Matt Brewer, Lionel Loueke, Seamus Blake, Alex Sipiagin, Danilo Perez and more. Currently based full time in Paris, recent highlight performances have included Brosella Jazz Festival (Belgium), Eurojazz Festival (Mexico), King’s Place (London), Duc des Lombards (Paris), Recife Jazz Festival (Brazil), Cite´ de la Musique (Paris), Malta Jazz Festival (Malta), Kriol Jazz festival (Cap Verde). With four albums recorded as a leader, Pilon’s talent both as an improviser and composer heralded him in the international press as one of the stand-out musicians currently living out of Paris.