If there was one word to describe the creative
process behind this album, it would be spontaneity. It was born on stage, motivated by a request from the audience, in a natural impulse. “There are times when you meet someone who knows how to take your music down uncharted paths, where everything becomes possible. Such is the case with Varijashree Venugopal,” says Elie Dufour.
The album “Bangalore”, was recorded under live conditions, in just one afternoon. Only one take was needed for each track, and no alterations were made to keep it true to the band’s live sound. Bangalore is a “small town of 14 million inhabitants in the South Indian state of Karnataka*. This is where the trio of Élie, Yann and Marc (EYM) met Varijashree. It’s a town with which the band retains a particularly strong bond after years of touring.
EYM Trio’s ability to travel the world and soak up the music they discover feeds an open-ended game. Varijashree knew how to play Carnatic** music even before she could walk. She then developed a passion for Western music and jazz. “That’s the kind of collaboration we’re all looking for in our lives as musicians.
This album is a crossroads between jazz and
Carnatic music, blurring the boundaries between the two worlds. Like a kapla structure, the trio’s pieces are deconstructed to be rebuilt in new ways. Only the title track, Jagadoddarana, is taken from the traditional
Carnatic repertoire.
* State in southwestern India, with Bangalore as its capital
** Classical music from South India
*** Official language spoken in the state of Karnataka
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Voice/flute : Varijashree Venugopal
Piano : Elie Dufour
Drums : Marc Michel
Doublebass : Yann Phayphet