Laurent Dehors brings his trio “Political Song” to Finland and Lithuania from March 17th till 26th. The French clarinetist and his two accomplices, British pianist Matthew Bourne and bass saxophonist Gérald Chevillon are certainly not lacking in either invention or conviction. This new project has been created in France in January and February in a quintet format. The trio version gives more room to the jazz spirit of these creative artists.
“How many times has it been said that ‘all politics is corrupt’? Much of our population expresses distrust, disgust or boredom with politics and politicians; many believe that democracy is ineffective, that public opinion is seldom (or very poorly) taken into account. With this in mind, we would like to re – enchant’ politics through our music. Since the dawn of mankind, the weight of oppression has been in direct opposition to the powerful desire for freedom. The quest for freedom: the freedom to think, to love, to live life freely – and the speeches, writings and songs that embody this spirit from influential figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jean Jaurès, Abdel Kader, Léon Blum, Winston Churchill, Leo Stalin, Mussolini, and even Adolf Hitler, speak to us still. We still want to hear the Chant des partisans, the international, Le Temps des Cerises ; but also to search for the words of those who are less fortunate or marginalized. It is our wish to share these messages with you in a voyage of discovery; where we still marvel at the lyrics of revolt, of commitment, of elevation, of camaraderie, and of love.
And finally, what better place to explore these themes than in the bosom of jazz; a music which was donated to humanity by former slaves who, rather than turning to murder and war, preferred instead to dance with their masters and all of humankind”.
– Laurent Dehors
Matthew Bourne and Laurent Dehors at Pori Jazz 2011 – photo by Maarit Kytöharju
Laurent Dehors trio Political Song (FR-UK)
Laurent Dehors > clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet, tenor sax, bag pipe, voice
Matthew Bourne > piano, tapes, voice
Gérald Chevillon > bass and soprano saxophone, voice
Tour program
FINLAND
17/03 Hämeenlinna, Verkatehdas | also Pipoka & Sam Huber
18/03 Salo, Kulttuuritalo KIVA
19/03 Helsinki, Juttutupa / Rytmihäiriöklubi
20/03 Jyväskylä, Poppari
21/03 Ylivieska, Akustiikka
22/03 Raahe, 3” kuppila / järj. Rajatsi ry
23/03 Jämsä, Pokura
24/03 Loviisa. Keskus Centralen / järj. Free Okapi
LITHUANIA
25/03 Panevezys, Miltinis theater
26/03 Vilnius, Piano LT / organised by Vilnius Jazz Festival
Gérald Chevillon – photo by Franpi Barriaux
Tour production: association Tous Dehors
Tour booking and tour mananging: Vapaat äänet – Charles Gil
Tour support: Institut Francais, French Institutes of Finland and of Lithuania, Spedidam.
Tous Dehors is supported by the French Ministry of Culture and the Région Haute-Normandie