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Pierre de Surgères: Krysis

By Eyal Hareuveni
November 25, 2014
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Belgian pianist

Pierre de Surgères

" data-original-title="" title="">Pierre de Surgères is an autodidact musician who pursued a musical career only after he studied journalism and philosophy. So far, that career has been quite erratic, he attended master classes with diverse mentors such as

Toots Thielemans

harmonica
1922 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Toots Thielemans and

Anthony Braxton

woodwinds
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Anthony Braxton, launched a project dedicated to the provocative songs of

Serge Gainsbourg

b.1928

" data-original-title="" title="">Serge Gainsbourg, worked in Florida with funky jazz masters like

George Duke

piano
1946 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">George Duke and

Marcus Miller

bass
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Marcus Miller. Surgeres formed a quintet back home featuring acclaimed French saxophonist Alexandra Grimal that played his compositions influenced by traditional jazz and ideas from

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman's M-Base. Just recently, Surgeres founded the Krysis trio.

Also known also as The Groovy Mates, the project features bassist

Félix Zurstrassen

bass, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Félix Zurstrassen and prolific drummer, bandleader and label owner

Teun Verbruggen

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Teun Verbruggen (among the bands he leads is The Bureau of Atomic Tourism with american trumpeter

Nate Wooley

trumpet
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Wooley and French guitarist

Marc Ducret

guitar
b.1957

" data-original-title="" title="">Marc Ducret)—reflects Surgères eclectic and diverse tastes.

The 14 concise songs on their debut album are based on symmetry, rhythmic and melodic serialism or rhythmic invention, often spontaneous.

Pierre de Surgères knows how to tell a dramatic story in sound, sometimes even a story with conflicting narratives like the title piece. His compositions suggest distinct scenery, atmosphere and vibe, rich in nuance and plot shifts, further stressed with the relaxed, supportive interplay and driving pulse of the rhythm section.The trio knows how to build tension, as on the cinematic "Dimitri Had a Car Crash," then release it with humor and irony without subscribing to conventions.They also convey lyrical emotions with impressive command, as on the touching "HLM Blues."

A promising debut by a trio with an original voice of its own.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Olive Nocturne; Far, Far ,Away…; Step Aside; Krysis Alt Intro; Back To Life; HLM Blues; Neige; Dmitri Had a Car Crash; On a Train To Bern; Xynthia; Nautilus; Coline Dort; Pericoloso; Krysis.

Personnel

Pierre de Surgères

Pierre de Surgères: piano; Félix Zurstrassen: electric bass; Teun Verbruggen: drums.

Album information

Title: Krysis | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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