Grégoire Maret & Romain Collin & Bill Frisell - Americana (CD)

Release Date: 04/24/20

2021 US GRAMMY nominee: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

'Americana' represents an exciting collaboration between two prodigious musicians: harmonica greatGregoire Maret, and acclaimed pianist Romain Collin. Grégoire Maret is a phenomenon and a master musician. He is a virtuoso with a vivid imagination and a sublime way of giving shape to a melody. Collin, meanwhile, has been described by NPR as 'a visionary composer, an extraordinary jazz pianist'. Upon meeting each other in New York, the two musicians bonded over a shared love of jazz, song and pure melody. Together they embarked on a project which would explore the musical depths of the American soul. They turned to the uniquely great Bill Frisellto help forge a connection between American songwriting and the high art of instrumental playing. In this musical world, vast soundscapes co-exist with epic stories. The Americana trio's journey starts with a surprise: the composer of 'Brothers In Arms' is not actually American at all. And yet Scottish-born Mark Knopfler proved with Dire Straits that his way of internalizing the myths of American history is not just skillful but also highly persuasive. From his immense body of work, Bill Frisell has contributed two compositions, 'Small Town' and 'Rain, Rain'. This ensemble also pays homage to one of the great songwriters, Jimmy Webb with his 'Wichita Lineman' and honors Justin Vernon (alias Bon Iver), an Americana representative of the hipster generation, in 'Re: Stacks'. Maret and Collin have also brought the essence of Americana in their own compositions. 'Wherever Gregoire Maret stands, whenever he lifts his instrument to his lips, the room and all its inhabitants are immediately transformed, we are transported with a sweet yet powerful intensity to a higher plane.' These are the words of high praise which Grégoire Maret once received from Cassandra Wilson, with whom he has worked for many years. This is also a particularly apt way to describe the soulful and life-affirming 'Americana'.