For more than 15 years, the Impérial quartet has been an outstanding laboratory of sound and rhythmic creation on the French Jazz scene. In July 2026 the band hits the Estonian and Finnish roads with Dunav Magika – a new repertoire that explores the richness and diversity of the musical tradition along the Danube River. They start with two concerts in Southern Estonia on 18-19 July and continue with two concerts in Helsinki and Seinäjoki on 20-21 July. Their final destination is Raahe where their artistic residency at Raahen Rantajatsit – Jazz on the Beach includes three concerts and a workshop.
With its fifth album, Imperial Quartet continues its exploration of the folklore of Central Europe and the territories crossed by the Danube. A cultural thread, the river becomes a symbol of circulation, encounters, and cultural mixing between East and West.
The quartet draws on popular traditions—Balkan, Hungarian, Gypsy, and klezmer music—to reveal their emotional depth and rhythmic richness. Modality, asymmetrical measures, and virtuosity intertwine in a free style of writing nourished by improvisation. The melodies are transformed, digested, and reinvented in a resolutely contemporary form.
A veritable laboratory of sound and rhythmic experimentation, the group composes and arranges collectively, in search of organic sound material. Alternating between introspective softness and powerful bursts of energy, Dunav Magika is a poetic and magical journey of sound, where jazz dialogues with the living memory of European cultures.
For this tour, the founding members Damien Sabatier on alto and sopranino saxophones, Joachim Florent on double bass and Antonin Leymarie on drums, will be joined by Hugues Mayot on tenor saxophone, as a substitute of Gérald Chevillon.
The album “Dunav Magika” will be released on 25 September 2026 (label: cie Impérial – Inouie distribution)
(c) Istvan Meszaros
Damien Sabatier alto and sopranino sax
Hugues Mayot tenor sax
Joachim Florent double bass
Antonin Leymarie drums
Tour program from July 18 to 26 2026
ESTONIA arranged by Uus Kontsert
Sat 18/07 Uue-Roobi Kontsert-Tall
Sun 19/07 Palamuse Rahvamaja (Jõgeva valla kultuur)
FINLAND
Mon 20/07 Helsinki, Hakasalment Huvila / jaZZanti – Helsinki Jazz
Tue 21/07 Seinäjoki, picnic-concert / Jazzoikoon!
Artistic residency at Raahen Rantajatsit – Raahe Jazz on the beach
Thu 23/07 17:00 Ruuki, Kreivinsaari
Fri 24/07 workshop with New Three
Sat 25/07 18:30 Raahen Teatteri
Sun 26/07 00:15 Jam on the Terrace of Ruiskuhuone
Tour production: Compagnie Impérial
Tour booking: Vapaat äänet
Tour support: Spedidam, AJC