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What happens when French Impressionism meets American jazz?
{To see the transformation of the painting -- from Renoir 1881 to "Renoir" 2006.}
The inspiration to create a jazz repertoire of Gabriel Fauré's 19th century songs began with Claudia's recording of Lydia for her "Romance Language" album. The song received special mention in reviews and from fans who voted it their favorite. Could more Fauré songs enjoy a similar treatment?
Claudia approached New York singer Daniel Neer and jazz pianist and arranger Dennis Luxion to create arrangements in early 2005. After a first round of performances in Chicago and New York, Daniel and Dennis went on to pursue other projects and Claudia turned to the inspiring Chicago singer Sean Harris and pianist/arranger Bobby Schiff to continue growing the project.
The premise: Fauré's original vocal line is treated with velvety warmth and snappy joie de vivre by two vocalists while arrangements for jazz quartet (piano, saxophone-flute-clarinet, bass and drums) rest comfortably on Fauré’s harmonic progressions.
Gorgeous mini-masterpieces including Lydia, Mai, Clair de lune, Après un rêve, and Mandoline enjoy a rendezvous with bossa nova, blues, swing and Latin rhythms.
The Jazz Fauré Project brings the luscious turn-of-the-century art songs by Gabriel Fauré into the medium of jazz and popular song. Understated, elegant, rich and welcoming, this mixture will appeal to the discriminating palates of jazz, cabaret and classical lovers alike.
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Jim Cox, Dennis Luxion and Bobby Schiff reviewing the score at Curried Bagel Studio, August 2006.
Sean Harris and Claudia Hommel at the Art Institute of Chicago
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