| Jazz |
There is something wonderfully reassuring about hearing a young jazz musician who embraces tradition not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing language. That is precisely what drummer, composer, and bandleader Germain Cornet achieves on Listen To The Wind, an impressive debut album as leader of his own quintet. Rooted in the great swing and hard-bop traditions while infused with freshness, elegance, and youthful enthusiasm, this recording is a joyful celebration of jazz played with heart, conviction, and infectious energy.
Born in 1991, Germain Cornet began playing the drums at the age of fifteen, discovering jazz only two years later. That encounter changed the course of his musical life. After studying with renowned French drummer Charles Bellonzi and at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, he quickly established himself as one of the most promising young drummers on the French jazz scene.
Along the way, he accompanied distinguished musicians such as pianist Tamir Hendelman, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, and vocalists Nicolas Bearde and Mandy Gaines.
A decisive moment came in 2015, when he attended the Centrum Jazz Workshop in Port Townsend, Washington, where he met, and became a disciple of the great Jeff Hamilton, one of today’s most admired jazz drummers.
One can hear this rich musical background throughout Listen To The Wind. Cornet’s playing reveals a fascinating blend of influences that never descend into imitation. On the one hand, there is the irresistible drive, explosive swing, and propulsive energy inherited from the legendary Art Blakey. Like Blakey, Cornet understands that the drummer is not merely a timekeeper but the very heartbeat of the ensemble, capable of inspiring and elevating every musician around him.
Yet another side of his personality reflects the artistry of Jeff Hamilton. Where Blakey often projected volcanic power, Hamilton is celebrated for his elegance, melodic phrasing, and extraordinary sensitivity to dynamics. Cornet has clearly absorbed these qualities as well. His playing combines authority with refinement, strength with subtlety, allowing every composition to breathe naturally while maintaining a constant sense of forward motion.
Rather than choosing between these two towering influences, Germain Cornet succeeds in bringing them together. The result is a drumming style that swings powerfully while remaining remarkably musical and attentive to every nuance of ensemble interaction.
The quintet assembled for this debut recording is nothing short of outstanding:
Trumpeter and vocalist Ronald Baker, one of Europe’s finest ambassadors of classic jazz, brings warmth, brilliance, and impeccable phrasing to every performance. His trumpet solos are both lyrical and energetic, while his vocal contribution on the album’s sole standard adds an irresistible touch of authenticity and blues feeling.
On tenor saxophone, César Poirier proves to be an ideal musical partner. His sound is rich and expressive, rooted in the great tenor tradition while retaining a modern freshness. His improvisations unfold with natural elegance, balancing technical mastery and melodic invention.
Pianist Patrick Villanueva provides the harmonic foundation with remarkable taste. Whether accompanying the soloists or stepping into the spotlight himself, he combines rhythmic vitality with sophisticated harmonic imagination. His playing constantly enriches the group’s collective sound.
At the heart of the rhythm section stands bassist Fabricio Nicolas-Garcia, whose warm tone, impeccable time, and beautifully crafted walking bass lines give the music its firm yet flexible foundation. His close rapport with Cornet creates the kind of rhythmic partnership upon which great jazz ensembles are built.
Together, these five musicians function not as leader and sidemen, but as a genuine working band. Their communication is effortless, their listening exemplary, and their shared joy in making music is audible from the very first note.
One of the album’s great strengths lies in its balance between original compositions and the jazz tradition. Most of the repertoire consists of Germain Cornet’s own compositions, which reveal him to be not only an accomplished drummer but also a gifted composer. His pieces are memorable, finely structured, and filled with opportunities for both individual improvisation and collective interplay.
The title track, Listen To The Wind, beautifully encapsulates the album’s spirit. It unfolds with graceful lyricism while maintaining the irresistible swing that characterizes the entire recording. The melody is instantly engaging, and the ensemble develops it with remarkable sensitivity.
Several of the original compositions showcase Cornet’s ability to write music that feels immediately accessible while offering sophisticated harmonic and rhythmic details beneath the surface. His writing reflects a deep respect for the great hard-bop composers of the 1950s and 1960s, yet never sounds nostalgic or derivative. Instead, these pieces affirm that the classic jazz language remains capable of expressing contemporary voices.
The album’s only standard, I Got My Mojo Working, provides a delightful contrast. Originally made famous by the great bluesman Muddy Waters, this timeless classic receives a spirited, joyful treatment that perfectly suits the quintet’s personality. Ronald Baker’s vocals are full of character, while the band approaches the piece with infectious enthusiasm, reminding us how naturally blues and jazz continue to nourish one another.
Throughout the album, one senses an unwavering commitment to swing, not as a stylistic formula but as a living force. Every tune possesses its own identity, yet all share the same vibrant pulse that invites the listener to move, smile, and immerse themselves completely in the music.
What makes Listen To The Wind particularly rewarding is its remarkable sense of balance. Virtuosity is always present but never ostentatious. Solos emerge organically from the compositions. The arrangements are elegant without becoming overly elaborate. Most importantly, the musicians consistently place collective expression above individual display.
Listening to this album inevitably brings to mind the philosophy that guided Art Blakey throughout his career. Blakey often said that his role was to help young musicians find their own voice. Germain Cornet seems to have inherited that same generous spirit. His leadership encourages every member of the quintet to contribute fully, resulting in performances that radiate confidence, warmth, and mutual respect.
At the same time, the influence of Jeff Hamilton can be heard in the remarkable elegance that permeates the recording. Cornet understands, like his mentor, that great drumming is often defined not by how many notes one plays, but by the beauty of sound, the quality of touch, and the ability to make the entire ensemble sound better.
For a first album as a leader, Listen To The Wind is an outstanding achievement. It introduces a drummer who possesses not only exceptional technical ability but also maturity, musical intelligence, and a clear artistic vision. Supported by four superb musicians, Germain Cornet has created a recording that celebrates the enduring vitality of swing and hard bop while speaking with a fresh and personal voice.
Jazz has always advanced through artists who respected its traditions while bringing their own personality to them. With Listen To The Wind, Germain Cornet demonstrates that he belongs to this distinguished lineage.
This is a debut filled with elegance, generosity, irresistible swing, and genuine musical joy. One can only hope that this remarkable quintet continues its journey for many years to come, because Listen To The Wind is the kind of album that reminds us why straight-ahead jazz remains as vibrant and uplifting today as ever. A magnificent first chapter in what promises to be a most exciting career.
Frankie Pfeiffer
Editor in chief – PARIS-MOVE
PARIS-MOVE, July 2nd, 2026
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