“Uncommon delicacy”
–Downbeat Magazine ★★★★
_____
“Fine, precise and thoughtful”
–Couleurs Jazz
_____
“You’ll be impressed by the depth and emotion of the performances”
–Richard Kamins (Step Tempest)
_____
A guitarist and composer of uncommon depth and purpose, both musically and socially, Jean Chaumont has emerged as a formidable presence on the international jazz scene. Born in France, he relocated to Princeton, New Jersey in late 2014 and promptly began work on his debut album The Beauty of Differences (out June 15, 2018), featuring world-class drummer Rudy Royston and eight-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton.
Playing a close-miked Eastman hollow-body guitar (with subtle amplification) as well as steel- and nylon-string acoustic guitars, Chaumont summons a strikingly crisp and warm sound and imbues his compositions with a bountiful lyricism, intricacy, and rhythmic propulsion. On The Beauty of Differences he shines at the helm of a core band with Royston, pianist Michael Bond, saxophonist Sam Sadigursky and bassist Ike Sturm. Co-producing the album with Enoch Smith, Jr., noted pianist and founder of the Misfitme music label, Chaumont devoted the proceeds to the nonprofit Villages In Partnership, with funds earmarked to provide clean and accessible water for the people of Malawi’s Sakata region, in southeastern Africa.
Chaumont studied guitar with Serge Merlaud, Michel Perez, and most recently the masterful Peter Bernstein. Under the wing of Bernard Maury (a student of Nadia Boulanger), he became fascinated with the science of chords and modes. His interest in composition grew and led him to refine his skills with Pierre Bertrand and Sylvain Beuf. He has been an active member of the quintet Goud (featuring Josiah Woodson) and the duo Tema (with pianist Giuseppe de Gregorio), projects that were documented on the EPs Firstep and Glucose. Chaumont has also shared the stage with Dan Tepfer, Jon Irabagon, Rogerio Boccato, Orlando Le Fleming, John Hadfield, Fiona Monbet, Armel Dupas, Karl Jannuska, and the Plumes Ensemble. He has been featured in festivals and venues such as Jazz at Saint Germain des près, Charlie Jazz Festival, Jazz at Vannes, Pleyel, the Olympia, and the Stade de France.
Jean has also been commissioned for production, arrangements, compositions, and film scoring, including the full-length documentary “Le Bonheur en Suspens,” which was broadcast on French national television.
