We are excited to announce our next Chat with the Cats guest, saxophonist Jon Boutellier.
Where did you grow up? Did you grow up around music/jazz? Do you have any familial experiences with music?
"I grew up in Vienne, a city close to Lyon in France. My father started the jazz festival there, so I grew up exposed to the music.
I had the opportunity to see everybody at a very young age: Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Joe Henderson, Michael Brecker, Hank Jones but also Earth Wind and Fire, Manu DiBango, Maceo Parker... everybody. The 90's were a golden age for jazz!"
When (if ever) did you have a lightbulb moment that this could be a career rather than a hobby?
"I remember one time I had a business law exam at College, and I could only - and hardly - write my name on the sheet. That day I realized I would give up my law studies and concentrate on music! I then went to study with great alto player George Robert in Switzerland, and then at the Paris Conservatory."
When did you choose NYC? when did you move here? How would you compare the NYC jazz scene to other places you have played?
"I came here in late 2019. Before that, I was playing a lot in Paris, with American musicians and would come to visit every year. It gave me the urge to really live, and not be a musical tourist. I also had a personal opportunity to come live here.
I think nothing compares to NYC, at least from Europe. There’s an amount of excellence, of diversity, in the scene that is completely unparalleled. Jazz is the local music here, the music is the language spoken here."
The main big difference that I have encountered, is that while everybody is amazing on their horns and knows every tune, what sets people apart are those that have found their own sound. It's essential.”
Your album, "On Both sides of the Atlantic" was released in 2020. Was this the combination of your French and American experiences?
“In Paris, I was the host for the Saturdays Duc des Lombards after hours for years. It was truly a great learning experience, I had the opportunity to share the bandstand with countless amazing musicians who were passing by. I can say some nights were really swinging! And this is still one of the best sessions there.
I think this is what I had in mind when I made this album in which I had the chance to invite my idol, Kirk Lightsey. “
Tell us about "Friends and Lovers" in Brooklyn and how the weekly set came to be - how would you describe Wednesday nights?
“This a very nice place, everyone is hip. We start at 8 and usually do an hour and a half first set and welcome the cats on the second. We play trio, with bass or B3. We play swinging music, and as the hours pass and more people come in, we play more groove things, some Eddie Harris songs for example.
I usually do it with an amazing and very young drummer called Willie Bowman jr, he’s definitely worth checking out!
A lot of musicians live in this neighborhood so it’s cool to have a session there. I’m trying to set up the band in the back room so more people can come.”
Anything you want to promote - album, tour?
“I have an upcoming album with Michael Valeanu on guitar and Clovis Nicolas on bass. We’re all French but living here, and share similar experiences I guess... I’m really proud of the album, I think it captures the essence of where we are now as musicians.
I love playing trio. I write a lot of big band arrangements and trio is, oddly for me, close to writing a big band chart. You’re only three, so you have to think orchestrally.
I’m also writing a lot of Gershwin arrangements right now for a big band album in Paris.”
Thoughts on KU! and promotion of NYC jazz in general?
“I think it’s essential that KEYED UP! helps musicians, venues and jazz initiatives in general. For example, I’ve seen so many great concerts at Bar Bayeux!
From a promoter’s perception, I guess it always comes from a small insight. For example, my father started to promote jazz in the '60s only because he was bored not to be able to see his idols perform in his hometown. He started small, and ended up creating the biggest jazz festival in France. KEYED UP! helps us in creating those small opportunities to grow.”