Romain Pilon (L)

Profile

French guitarist and composer Romain Pilon is one of his country’s most gifted and lauded contemporary jazz artists.  Pilon started playing guitar at age 10, exploring all kinds of music throughout high school and eventually went to Conservatory in his native France before gaining a full scholarship from the famed Berklee College of Music in Boston. After his US sojourn (where his group was chosen to open for Pat Metheny out of 1,000 guitar students) he lived between Paris and NYC, performing with some of the worlds great improvising musicians: Christian Scott, Esperanza Spalding, Walter Smith III, Leo Genovesie, Matt Brewer, Lionel Loueke, Carlos Henriquez, Seamus Blake, Perico Sambeat, Michael Janisch, Alex Sipiagin, and Danillo Perez. Currently based full time in Paris, recent highlight performances have included Jazz in Marciac, Pizza Express London, Duc des Lombards, Recife Jazz Festival, Cité de la Musique, Malta Jazz Festival, and the Blue Note Milan.

He is a founding member of the Paris jazz Underground Collective, which unites some of Paris finest and most creative improvisers and composers. His album NY3 featuring Matt Brewer and Colin Stranahan heralded Pilon in the international press as one of the stand-out musicians currently living out of Paris.  Pilon’s debut Whirlwind Recordings release Colorfield features a program of new music with young stars Walter Smith III, Michael Janisch and Jamire Williams.

” With a rare sense of space, Romain is a guitarist whose flow of imagination sets high standards, and whose guitar tone is one of the most elegant around.”
– Jazz News

“One of the best guitarists on the scene today ! Romain Pilon is a great player that many people will know more about very soon. His playing and composing reveal a powerful and personal voice on the instrument.”
– Peter Bernstein

“Romain Pilon is a guitarist full of surprises. He has a flawless technique and a great harmonic sense. He is someone to keep an eye on.”
– Lionel Loueke

“Listening to NY3 brings back memories of the joys of discovering Jim Hall’s albums…or the early Pat Metheny of “Bright Size Life.”
– Jazzman Magazine

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