Chris Jennings
drum ‘n koto trio
MIEKO MIYAZAKI - japanese koto
PATRICK GORAGUER - batterie/santour iranien
This new ensemble of double bassist Chris Jennings once again surprises listeners with a unique collaboration of jazz double bass with the incredible japanese koto of Mieko Miyazaki and renowned and versatile french drummer Patrick Goraguer. The complicity of this double bassist and drummer for years now creates a solid and strong force allowing the flexibility of the japanese koto to fall perfectly in its place. The trio performs the signature compositions of Chris Jennings. Yet, a large part is left to improvisation and the immense talent of these
Born in Tokyo, Mieko Miyazaki started studying the Japanese Koto with Tomizo HURUYA sensei and Sachiko Tamura sensei. After being accepted to the "Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music," her training finished with an invitation to perform as a soloist in the presence of the imperial couple in Japan. She graduated in 1992, and the following year she was awarded the highest distinctions by the national radio NHK-FM. Chosen by the "Japanese Foundation" to represent Japan during international cultural events, she performed various concerts in Asia, Europe and throughout the United States.
With already a career at a young age, she revealed an unexpected talent in lyricism and composition and created several original works for the NHK children's programs as well as creating an association in 1998 with young talents to promote and develop the traditional japanese music. In 2003, her work "The Current," (CD Columbia Records-Japan for the duo “East Current,”) for Koto and Shakuhachi Flute, was directed by Master Dozan FUJIWARA and is considered one of the thirty most beautiful compositions of all time by the Hogaku Journal specialists, “the Kotoby.” Her compositions have been praised by MIYAKO Itchu, the famous master of Shamisen, as well as supreme recognition from the legendary Koto performer Mrs. Kazue SAWAI who said, "Mieko Miyazaki’s compositions really open up a new perspectives in Koto music."
Moving to France in 2005, her European career began quickly despite both herself and the koto being relatively unknown to the European market. Mieko Miyazaki became immediately recognized and established worldwide as one of the leading figures in Japanese Koto and pushing the limits and capacities of her music and instrument in many different music genres.
She is very busy with many projects including: solo concerts, guitarist Nguyên Lê’s “Fragile Beauty” project (CD "Fragile Beauty" ACT), which lead to the creation of the "Sayuki" trio with renowned tabla player PRABHU Edouard (CD "Sayuki" ACT), the MIYAZAKI Trio with Bruno MAURICE (accordion) and Manuel SOLANS (Violin) (CD "Saiko" Daqui/Harmonia Mundi), a magical collaboration with the Corsican voices “Voce Ventu” (CD "TessiTessi" Daqui/Harmonia Mundi) with a TV documentary "When Islands Meet," and a contemporary duo of landscapes of improvisation with pianist/improviser François Rosse,
Mieko Miyazaki composes and performs live music for the Ariadone Ballet Company "At IKKYU," with choreographer Carlota Ikeda. New projects include combining Koto and Erhu with the Chinese virtuoso Guo Gan ("NEN NEN SUI SUI," CD 2012 Daqui/Harmonia Mundi). All which are a result of many interviews and presentations for France Musiques, France Inter, FR3, Arte, Fuji TV which balance a busy international touring schedule taking her to all corners of the globe from Europe, the USA, China, South America, India, Korea, Canada, Taiwan, Turkey, Egypt, Madagascar and Japan.
A musician equally known for his astouding qualities as a drummer and pianist, Patrick Goraguer also performs on irianian santour in this formation. An extremely humble musician, he accompanies the best musicians in Jazz, World Music to Chanson Française as well as composing and arranging music for film. Residing in Paris, he performs on an international level with renowned musicians such as Femi Kuti, Wasis Diop, French pop star Aurthur Ash to Mamanie Keita. Crossing also into the jazz world he also works with saxophonist Bill Evans, George Russel or Liz McComb, Jim Black, Chris Cheek and Jean-Luc Ponty and touring europe with bassist Richard Bona and “Toto Bono Lokau.” Jazz, Afro Beat, Funk, World Music, producing and arranging film music are some of the many diverse circles which keep Patrick Goraguer a highly solicited musician.
CHRIS JENNINGS -
MIEKO MIYAZAKI -
PATRICK GORAGUER -
double bass
japanese koto
drums/santour
Gottlieb) and the Fragile Beauty project to name a few. Mr. Jennings is also the bassist of the Dhafer Youssef Quartet (with Tigran Hamasyan and Mark Guiliana), renowned Turkish Ney musician Kudsi Erguner Group and the Thomas Enhco piano trio.
After the release in 2011 of his self titled CHRIS JENNINGS QUARTET CD on Promise Land Records, distribution by Codaex France, featuring Manu Codjia (el. gtr), Pierre Perchaud (ac. gtr), Patrick Goraguer (drums), and leading a trio with American drummer Leon Parker for three years, Mr. Jennings has started two new projects alongside the longstanding “JENNINGS/PERCHAUD” acoustic duo which continues to evolve for over seven years now. The first new trio is with Mieko Miyazaki (Japanese koto) and Patrick Goraguer (drums/santour) as well as a trio featuring guitarist/percussionist Kevin Seddiki (guitarist with Al Di Meola) and the young Belgium vocalist revelation Lynn Cassiers.
In Paris France since 2002, Canadian bassist CHRIS JENNINGS has established himself as double bassist with guitarist Nguyên Lê in formations such as his New Quartet (with Rita Marcotulli and Roberto Gato/Danny Gottlieb) and the Fragile Beauty project to name a few. Mr. Jennings is also the bassist of the Dhafer Youssef Quartet (with Tigran Hamasyan and Mark Guiliana), renowned Turkish Ney musician Kudsi Erguner Group and the Thomas Enhco piano trio.
After the release in 2011 of his self titled CHRIS JENNINGS QUARTET CD on Promise Land Records, distribution by Codaex France, featuring Manu Codjia (el. gtr), Pierre Perchaud (ac. gtr), Patrick Goraguer (drums), and leading a trio with American drummer Leon Parker for three years, Mr. Jennings has started two new projects alongside the longstanding “JENNINGS/PERCHAUD” acoustic duo which continues to evolve for over seven years now. The first new trio is with Mieko Miyazaki (Japanese koto) and Patrick Goraguer (drums/santour) as well as a trio featuring guitarist/percussionist Kevin Seddiki (guitarist with Al Di Meola) and the young Belgium vocalist revelation Lynn Cassiers.
An international performer, composer, leader, arranger and teacher, playing a wide variety of musical genres and styles on both upright and electric basses Mr. Jennings projects as a sideman include the Jacek Kochan/Dave Liebman Quartet in Eastern Europe and the Lee Konitz/Giovanni Ceccarelli Quartet. He performs as a sideman with Rick Margitza, Paul McCandless, Karim Ziad, Seamus Blake, Marilyn Mazur, Eivind Aarset, Yaron Herman, Terumasa Hino, Kiyohiko Semba, Hüsnu Senlendirici, Andy Milne, Marçin Wasilewski, Satoshi Takeishi, Francis Lassus, Nelson Veras, Mike Murley, Phil Dwyer, Dave Restivo, Bob Brough, ‘El Gusto’ (Algerian Orchestra) to name a few.
Since 1996, Mr. Jennings completed numerous self-study/project residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts Canada, a Bachelors (B.A.) in Jazz Performance from the University of Toronto, Canada (2000), and a Masters (M.A.) in Music from the Royal Conservatory of the Hague, Holland (2004). Teaching at the Didier Lockwood Music School since 2005 and having taught at the Conservatory of Chelles France for 7 years, he is always actively giving master classes and private teaching alongside pursuing his energy in multicultural and original projects.
CHRIS JENNINGS - double bassist
three musicians. A unique trio showing an obvious pleasure in exploring the musical universes of the East, North, South and West, and then meeting in a centre filled with diverse influences and a huge liberty. Listen here:
Audio Examples:
All photos by Phuong Nguyên
All photos by Phuong Nguyên
All photos by Phuong Nguyên
In Paris France since 2002, Canadian bassist CHRIS JENNINGS has established himself as double bassist with guitarist Nguyên Lê in formations such as his New Quartet (with Rita Marcotulli and Roberto Gato/Danny