22 (Buddham Jazz - 2025)
Gregory and Jacques were both born on December 22, 22 years apart. They also have played together for the last 22 years. Moreover, they represent two generations of pioneers of Afro-Caribbean Jazz, from the two sister islands of the Antilles: Martinique and Guadeloupe. Their two musical visions, although distinct, have evolved in symbiosis over the course of many previous collaborations. 22 is the fruit of this cross-pollination, in search of a multidimensional expression, both sophisticated and devoid of artifice. In the absence of drums, they transpose this rhythmic language into their fingers and their breath through the piano and the saxophone. We find it first in their rhythmic command and creativity, but also in the deconstruction and reconstruction of traditional patterns, perceptible both in their playing and in their respective writings. This foundational material serves as fertile ground where melodic and harmonic colors come together, drawing from the French impressionists, Gwoka and Belè chants, the processions of New Orleans, Senegal and even the Middle East. Gregory and Jacques used a refreshing and contrasting palette to create 22: a magical and sui generis universe.
“Les chants de Jacques Schwarz-Bart et Grégory Privat survolent les continents, tissent des mélodies aux accents intemporels et s’envolent très haut.” – Denis Desassis, Citizen Jazz
Technical details
Recorded, mixed and mastered, January 2025 in Paris, by Rémi Bourcereau. Photos by Guilhem Séguin / Graphic design by Guillaume Saix.
Musicians
Jacques Schwarz-Bart (Sax), Gregory Privat (Piano)
Tracks
1- Dlo Pann – 6:52 / 2- Isaïah – 3:33 / 3- Peace In The Middle East – 5:15 / 4- The Crossing – 5:20 / 5- Sa Ké Alé – 3:26 / 6- Incantation – 3:50 / 7- Four Chords – 5:04 / 8- Tournesol – 3:31 / 9- Eternal Flame – 3:26 / 10- The Most Beautiful – 4:23
Video
Press
Jazz Magazine - Yazid Kouloughli - May 2025 "CHOC - Luminous, at times imbued with an elusive melancholy, this music is the work of two artists at the peak of their talents. "
Citizen Jazz - Denis Desassis - May 2025 "The songs of Jacques Schwarz-Bart and Grégory Privat fly over continents, weaving melodies with timeless accents and soaring high, where soul and body become one. "
le Bananier bleu - Christophe Jenny - May 2025 "With 22, Jacques Schwarz-Bart and Grégory Privat give concrete expression in the most beautiful of ways to a fertile complicity, a work for two that will go down in history. "