Jean-Michele is an outstanding French pianist who ends his West Coast tour here at the Jazz Bakery. He and his trio were one of the many groups who performed at the 47th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival this past weekend and, from what I heard, he was extraordinary. I was not able to see him perform because I was the Master of Ceremonies on one of the stages at the festival. However, people kept ranting and raving on how great his performance was so, I had to see him at the Bakery.

I had a flight back to Monterey at 10:20pm but, I was at the Jazz Bakery at 8pm ready to experience the trio, even if I could only catch a few tunes, it would be worth it! Jean-Michel started of the performance with just solo piano. He plays and mixes a range of different styles from the vibrantly bright to dark and mysterious with brutally smashing and stimulating tones from the outside, always leaving one particular sound as a common denominator. Jean-Michel plays like a continuously flowing book of short stories. As his stories unfold, with out missing a note, two supporting characters join him on stage, Francois Moutin on Bass and Ari Hoenig on Drums. The journey of magical intrigue continues.

The Jean-Michel Pilc trio is extremely percussive. If you like French cuisine, they are the Chocolate Soufflé and Crème Brule on your desert platter. Three minds blending music together with on the spot creations that build an Empire State Building on a solid foundation of provocative thought. Jean-Michel reaches inside the piano and plucks the strings to create that beautifully odd muted sound while producing a whistle that would make any bird fly out of their nest in search of love!

The music is a high energy, non-stop, continuously creative BANG! The musicians non-verbally communicate between each other speaking in the tongues of creative freedom. Taking the road less traveled with each rock, bump and pothole perfectly planned and executed with the finest precision. The next thing you know, the storm is over, the black cloud has dissipated and the sunshine continues to warm our souls.

LeRoy Downs
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