Sonya Pinçon (Vocals) and Philippe Souplet (Piano), France
Sonya is a highly respected jazz and gospel singer and Philippe is one of the best-known stride and swing pianists in France. In recent years, beside each's own musical activities, they have performed together in many festivals and jazz clubs in France and abroad. As international highlights, let us mention Japan tours in 2008, 2012 and 2014 (Sendai Jazz Festival and various jazz-clubs in Tokyo and Sendai), Taiwan in 2013 and 2014 (jazz-clubs and cultural centers in Taipei and Kaohsiung), Chile in 2010, Israel in 2012 (festival de la Francophonie in Jerusalem), Switzerland in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017 (festival Swing in the Wind, Stride piano Summit Zürich), Belgium in 2015, 2016 (Hulencourt music festival), jazz-clubs in London, Rome, Prague, etc.
They have released in 2011 a joint 4tet album, entitled "In the Mood for Duke", based on a set of personal arrangements of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's music, which features the beauty of the melodies and harmonies of these two jazz giants, in an original concept mixing the colourful voice of the singer with the dynamical ressources of the two-handed stride piano style. Since 2012, they have been performing on this project with prominent French musicians like Michel Pastre, Michel Bonnet, Pierre Maingourd, Nicolas Dary.
They also like to present a special program of jazz songs in French, from the repertoire of well-known French songwriters Claude Nougaro, Serge Gainsbourg, Henri Salvador and others. Philippe's first solo album « Piano Stories: Gentle Dukes and Other Old Friends » was released in 2010 and his latest CD « Kaléidostride », mostly made of his personal compositions, was recorded in 2015. Sonya has released several Gospel records with her choir, as well as a soul-jazz album entitled "You're All I Need" (2014), entirely made of her own compositions.
CD Reviews by the New-York jazz expert Michael Steinman
(from http://jazzlives.wordpress.com/) :
"I first encountered Sonya Pinçon on YouTube — singing as part of a group led by her husband, the fine swing pianist Philippe Souplet. She has a new CD out, "In the Mood for Duke" [...] I was at first struck by the focused ease of her voice, evoking any number of fine singers but not imitating anyone. The repertoire is tried-and-true Ellington / Strayhorn, but it certainly sounds lively rather than overfamiliar [...] Philippe strides splendidly and in a delightfully understated way." --
"The impressive French jazz/stride pianist Philippe Souplet [...] has come out with his first solo CD, and it’s delightful. Although he is deeply respectful of the Stride tradition, [...] there’s an elegant openness to his playing, with sideways glances at Dave McKenna and Hank Jones. He’s a graceful improviser, serving the music. It’s a varied CD that ranges from the pensive to the joyous."
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