
Hello Cedric how are you?
I’m great, really excited to release my new album “A Luminous World – Time is Color Vol.2” in a week !
Congratulations on the release of A Luminous World Vol. 2 how does it feel?
I’m happy to share this new music with the world. It’s a very unique album – something I have not done before in my carreer.
What’s the story behind it?
The main theme of the album is spirituality and quantum physics – 2 sides of the same coin. I wanted with this album to deliver some important messages like the universal connection between all of us, also the fact that a situation can be seen in many different ways etc.
Also I wanted to make a record whose focus would be the voice: spoken words, rap and vocals melodies. As a pianist/instrumentalist I have made albums with other instrumentalists and with sometimes some vocals but the voice was never the focus of the music.
I wanted to have different vocalists/rappers/poets/singers and also I wanted the songs to be shorts, more like pop song format.
So i first wrote the music with those parameters in mind and then I gave the message I wanted to express for each tune to the vocalist so he/she could write something accordingly.
It’s part of a larger body of work, your new album, what’s your favourite track from it?
Difficult to give one favourite track as they are all different.
For different reasons I’d say EGO CHASE and LA SOURCE
You’re a French jazz multi instrumentalist, how did it begin for you?
For as long as I remember I have always been moved by music, either hearing music on radio or tv or movie theater. It’s something I can’t explain but music has a magic effect on me, almost like a healing effect. I did Electrical Engineering studies and got a Master’s Degree and meanwhile started playing music in bands when I was about 17 – from scratch. Back then I learned music by transcribing.
And after 8 years I was lucky to get a Fulbright grant that allowed me to study at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA – this is where i got my formal education and connected with teachers and other students. That experience has had a huge impact on my international career and led me to work with people like Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington and Herbie Hancock.
What did you listen to starting out?
Chanson Française, David Bowie, Joe Cocker, Nirvana, Van Halen, Tangerine Dream.
Then I discovered jazz in my teens thanks to a older friend and another friend made me discover classical music then also.
You have played on projects by a who’s who of incredible artists, what’s one pinch me moment for you?
There are many, but one of the first was when i recorded my first album under my name “French Stories” with Terri Lyne Carrington and John Patitucci, it was August 25, 2009. At the break they called Wayne Shorter to wish him a Happy Birthday, and I was witnessing their love for him and their lovely conversation. It was a beautiful moment.
The most prominent instrument on this track is the piano, how do you like to warm up before a session?
I try to practice every day, I have my own routine including some technical exercices, harmony, improvisation, rhythm etc
So when I get to a recording session I feel I’m prepared and just need to play some scales/arpeggio to be warmed up. I don’t like to play too much before a session to let the spontaneity take cover when it’s rolling.
Being a piano player who are your top 3?
Again it’s so difficult to give only 3 names.
I have a special – almost healing connection with Herbie Hancock’s music and playing – and I have been lucky to be in regular contact with him for 12 years.
Brad Mehldau is a giant also, bringing the richness of classical piano textures to the world of jazz amongst many other things.
Errol Garner’s playing and positive attitude is also very inspiring – so great to watch and hear him play, so modern.
What’s your favourite piece to play?
Depends on my mood, it can be a Bach piece or full improvisation or a jazz standard.
What are you listening to at the moment?
French hip hop – as i’d love to collaborate more with French young hip hop artists. I feel that we have a lot of great young artists and we need to expose them more.
I am rediscovering McCoy Tyner’s discography. He’s another giant of the piano !
What 3 things are you looking forward to doing in 2025?
The release concerts in Paris and London
Our tour in China
The first recording sessions for Time is color vol3 – to be released in late 2026.