| Jazz |
Médéric Collignon is one of the most significant French composers and trumpet players. His creations range from his interpretation of *Porgy & Bess* to his passion for film music, culminating in his latest album, *Arsis Thesis*. In music, “arsis” refers to the upbeat or preparatory movement, while “thesis” represents the downbeat or accented part. As the *Larousse* dictionary defines it: “The most common modern usage attributes the rhythmic support to the thesis, with arsis being only its preparation or repercussion. However, this interpretation is not universal, and countless debates have persisted on the matter. Referring to conducting gestures, traditional teaching aligns the beat with the downstroke of the hand, while many instinctively practice the reverse.” In musical notation, the conclusion is similar: “The strong beat coincides with the first beat of the measure after the bar line, yet phrasing often shifts the emphasis from this position (thesis) to the upbeat or anacrusis (arsis).”
This explanation helps clarify the album’s title. Musically, the work resembles a kind of jazz symphony, borrowing elements from pop. Since his debut, Médéric Collignon has continually evolved his style, driven by his deep love for all music and his unique internal world, which blends his artistic passions. Listening to his compositions is always an experience, a dive into controlled excess. While some may find this album challenging, it demands a broad knowledge, not just of jazz but of theater, comedy, and more. This album synthesizes his journey as a composer, showcasing his artistic evolution and no longer needing specific themes to assert his identity.
The richness of the arrangements reflects his extensive collaborations with some of the most renowned French jazz musicians, including Claude Barthélémy, Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, D. Badault, and Andy Emler. He has also been involved with ensembles such as François Pallem’s *Le Sacre du Tympan* and Sébastien Gaxie’s *Zhig Band*, while playing bass in *Alerta G* and performing with the *ONJ*.
Collignon’s multifaceted vision leads him to incorporate texts into his music, offering not just a whimsical surface but a deeply intellectual and thoughtful approach. His generous, timeless, and globalized music is one of shared experiences. This album, in particular, is one to be appreciated in a variety of moods. It’s no wonder he continues to garner accolades—he challenges, fascinates, and exemplifies the essence of art. Art that doesn’t provoke is merely decoration, but here, we are pleasantly unsettled, without trauma, thanks to the elegance of Collignon’s musical writing, his judicious choice of collaborators, and arrangements of rare quality. This exceptional album transcends the label of “essential”—a testament to his extraordinary talent.
Our deepest thanks to Médéric, who, despite the distance of thousands of kilometers, has not forgotten to reconnect with us, allowing us to share this piece with you.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 17th 2024
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Médéric Colligon en concert :
Médéric Collignon – Arsis Thesis (Le Triton, 2024) – December 6th, 2024
LE TRITON: 11 bis rue du coq français, 93260 les lilas – France
tel : (33) 1 49 72 83 10
Website
MEDERIC COLLIGNON : cornet, voix, synthétiseur, percussions, samples, compositions, arrangement, mixage
YVAN ROBILLIARD : piano, claviers
EMMANUEL HARANG : basse électrique
NICOLAS FOX : batterie
GERALDINE LAURENT : saxophone alto
PIERRICK PEDRON : saxophone alto
CHRISTOPHE MONNIOT : saxophone sopranino
CHRISTELLE RAQUILLET : flûtes, voix
CALOE : voix
KOSTIA BOURREAU : cor
ARMAND DUBOIS : cor
CYRIL GALAMINI : trombone
RAPHAËL SPIRAL : tuba
FELIX, VERONIQUE, LILA TAMAZIT : textes
Réalisé au Triton/ Studio AGC en 2023-24
Prise de son & mixage : Bastien Boissier
Assisté de : Jules Ferroul
Mastering : Simon Lancelot