Ignasi Terraza, Ulf Wakenius, Pierre Boussaguet
Biographie Ignasi Terraza, Ulf Wakenius, Pierre Boussaguet
Ignasi Terraza
After his first public appearance in 1980, Ignasi Terraza (born in 1962) has played an important role in the Barcelona Jazz scene. His style has placed him amongst the most in demand accompanists in the City, allowing him to back up many of the American musicians visiting Wess, Jesse Davis, Gene “Mighty Flea” Conners, Teddy Edwards, Ralph Lalama, Lou Donaldson, Brad Leali or Donald Harrison as well as Michelle, Randy Greer, Michelle McCain, Lavelle, Dee Daniels, Ann Hampton Callaway or Stacey Kent. Terraza has also been, since its key members of the Barcelona Jazz Orchestra. But Terraza’s favorite setting is, indeed, his trio: regular partners include the likes of bassists Pierre Boussaguet, Darryl Hall or Horacio and drummers Gregory Hutchinson, Bobby Durham, Jeff Hamilton, Alvin Queen, Jorge Rossy, Leon Parker or Jean-Pierre Derouard. Influenced by Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly and Ahmad Jamal, and rooted in the classic jazz tradition, Terraza is featured in more than 20 in a Trio format: Let me tell you something (1999), Jazz in the darkness (1999), It’s coming (2004), and In a sentimental Groove (2005) best jazz record of 2006 award given by the Spanish magazine Jaç).
During the last ten years Terraza has kept busy playing all around Spain, as well as in Festivals and club dates in France, United Kingdom, Portugal and Switzerland. Ignasi Terraza trio also toured Asia for two times playing inChina, The Philippines and Thailand. On May 21st, 2009, Ignasi Terraza became the winner of the 25th edition of The Great American Jazz Piano Competition, an extremely in Jacksonville, Florida, since 1983. This special award was won on previous editions by pianists like Marcus Roberts, Lynne Arriale or Kenny Drew Jr. The jury (Marcus Roberts, Doctor John and Naim Talib Rashid) chose Ignasi amongst 46 other pianists because of “his personal musical view” and “his ability to transmit it”. In 2010 his record “Night sounds” have been included in the sound track of latest Travolta movie “from Paris with love”.
Ulf Wakenius
Swedish guitarist Ulf Wakenius (born 1958) is second to none in his field.
Already in the early eighties, Wakenius’ guitar duo “Guitars Unlimited” blew away their listeners when they played in front of 600 million viewers at the Melody Grand Prix in 1985 – probably the largest audience ever for a jazz guitar duo!
But this is only one of the many highlights of his impressive career. From 1997 to 2007, the “Swedish guitar genius” (Downbeat) played the guitar for the Oscar Petersen Quartet, therefore occupying one of the most prestigious positions in the jazz world. He shared an equally fruitful collaboration with legendary bassist Niels-Hennig Ørsted Pedersen, and his two duo albums with Ray Brown, the other great bass icon, made it to the top of the American jazz charts. When Wakenius became an exclusive ACT artist in 2005, this was just another step in the success story of his career.
He is considered one of the greatest virtuosos on the jazz guitar, but he also knows how to captivate his audience on an intimate, much smaller scale with his tender, bittersweet compositions. The press praises his exquisite interpretations (“one of contemporary jazz`s most imaginative interpreters”, All About Jazz) and flawless performances: “Wakenius gives the melodies a clarity sometimes obscured in the original versions. Lovely!” (BBC)
His predilection for melodies makes him the ideal accompanist for singers such as Viktoria Tolstoy and, most recently, Youn Sun Nah. With the Korean star singer, he has been touring successfully for many years. He has also recorded and performed with icons such as Joe Henderson, Michel Legrand, Steve Colemans, Till Brönner and Wolfgang Haffner. He has been invited to jazz festivals and clubs worldwide and played on the world’s biggest stages like Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall or the Vienna Musikverein – at times in front of illustrious personalities such as former US President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II of England or Clint Eastwood.
As a leader on his own recordings, the highly virtuosic guitarist often showcases his calm, melodic side, typically on the acoustic guitar. His repertoire includes interpretations of music by Esbjörn Svensson and Keith Jarrett, as well as his own evocative compositions, often influenced by world music.
Pierre Boussaguet
was born in the French city of Albin in November 1962. Interested in music from a very young age, he started playing the accordion until the day he bought a Harry 'Sweets' Edison album, just because he liked the expression on one of the faces on the cover. A few months later, a friend of his took him to a Ray Bryant concert, and as soon as he heard the bass, he knew what he wanted to do, and quickly began studying the double bass. After two years of studying alone, he decided to work with Mr. Jean Cros, one of the finest classical bass players, who taught him the basic technique. In 1982, he met the former Duke Ellington bassist, Jimmy Woods, who recognized his great talent. He invited Pierre to Switzerland for 4 days, to be with him and begin to move in the world of Jazz.
In 1985, Pierre Boussaguet went to Paris to accompany tenor saxophonist Gérard Badini with his quartet and big band. Thanks to his precise tempo and great tonal resonance, he quickly found his place on the Parisian scene. 1986 marked a turning point in his life: during some Jam Sessions, Pierre became the right-hand man of saxophonist Gascon, and in the same year, thanks to pianist Marc Hemmeler, he met the legendary Ray Brown, whom he had never seen play before. The two performers fell in love with each other's way of playing, a professional relationship from which the group Two Bass Hits came to light. The idea was original and bold, since the repertoire was performed by two bassists and accompanied on the piano by Jacky Terrasson. The band released two albums, published by GML, entitled 'Bass Hits' and 'Bass Hits 2'.
Between 86 and 90, Pierre worked with Monty Alexander, touring Europe and Japan with his trio; and between 90 and 92, he led his own quintet.
In 1993 and 1994, Pierre continued to freelance with many of the aforementioned musicians, touring throughout Europe and visiting the United States. In 1994, he formed a group with Jacky Terrasson and Guy Lafitte, a trio that after recording several albums and touring the world, added Alvin Queen to its ranks to replace Lafitte.
The list of musicians with whom Pierre has performed is quite impressive: Jimmy Rowles, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Bryant, Johnny Griffin, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Herb Ellis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lew Tabackin, Daniel Humair, Phillippe Catherine, Alvin Queen, Mickey Roker, Milt Jackson, Nat Adderley, Didier Lockwood, Bob Berg, Tete Montoliu and Joe Henderson.
Even today, Boussaguet's greatest influence is Ray Brown, although he admits that he admires many other bassists such as NHOP, Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers.
