Grégory Privat: “YONN”

On August 16, Martinique pianist Grégory Privat returns to Paliesius Manor!

Considered one of the brightest talents of the new jazz scene, the artist will present his latest album, “Yonn”—marking the first time the Martinique pianist has released a solo piano album. The evening will be filled with intimate music rooted deeply in Caribbean culture, classical music, and jazz, with the piano seamlessly intertwining with the musician’s voice. We invite you not to miss this!

Grégory Privat was born in Martinique in December 1984. He is the son of pianist José Privat, known for his work with the internationally acclaimed Caribbean band “Malavoi.” Drawn to the piano from an early age, Grégory began private lessons at six, dedicating ten years to studying classical music before his interests turned toward improvisation techniques and jazz.

While studying at an engineering school in Toulouse, the pianist spent his nights playing in several of the city’s jazz clubs. Later, in Paris, armed with his engineering degree, G. Privat surrendered to his passion for the stage. Here, the pianist crossed paths with musicians such as Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Stephane Belmondo, Guillaume Perret, and Sonny Troupé.

To establish himself in the jazz world, G. Privat competed in the Montreux Jazz Festival piano competition in 2008, and in 2010, he reached the semifinals of the Martial Solal competition. The following year saw the release of his debut album, “Ki Koté.” Buoyed by the successful reception of these first personal compositions, the pianist resolved to continue down this musical path.

In September 2013, he released “Tales of Cyparis,” an album inspired by the story of Louis-Auguste Cyparis, the lone prisoner who survived the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée and was later employed by the Barnum circus. This project garnered excellent critical acclaim, firmly placing G. Privat among the most prominent figures of the new jazz scene. This status was cemented by his third album, “Luminescence,” released in January 2015. Recorded as a duo with Sonny Troupé—a loyal collaborator and magnificent master of Gwoka music—the album was nominated in the “Discovery of the Year, Frank-Ténot prize” category at the 2015 “Victoires du Jazz” awards.

In 2015, G. Privat became the new pianist for Swedish double bassist Lars Danielsson’s quartet, “Liberetto.” The bassist encouraged him to sign with the ACT record label. As a result, in October 2016, the prestigious label released “Family Tree,” the debut album of the first G. Privat trio, featuring drummer Tilo Bertholo and bassist Linley Marthe.

Three years later, in pursuit of freedom and artistic independence, Grégory founded his own record label, “Buddham Jazz,” producing and recording the album “Soley” in 2020 with bassist Chris Jennings and drummer Tilo Bertholo.

In 2022, after releasing five albums in collaboration with other artists, G. Privat unveiled his first solo album, “Yonn”—the title meaning the number “one” in Creole. Indeed, this is the very first time the Martinique pianist has presented a solo piano album. In this 11-track collection, recorded alone in Cologne, G. Privat offers intimate music that traces its origins back to Caribbean culture, classical music, and jazz. It is a contemplative journey where the notes of the piano intertwine with the musician’s voice, as five of the pieces feature singing. Composed entirely of original works, the album was conceived and created during the 2020 lockdown, with its central theme focusing on meditation and a return to the self—filled with trust, light, comfort, and hope. This new opus was released on January 28, 2022, under the pianist’s own label, “Buddham Jazz.”