Sebastien Girardot
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- A MASTER OF BASS WITH A GLOBAL MUSICAL VISION
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A MASTER OF BASS WITH A GLOBAL MUSICAL VISION
Sebastien Girardot is a powerful and swinging Australian bassist whose career has firmly established him as one of the most versatile and sought-after musicians in the jazz world. With a foundation rooted in classical training and an early immersion in New Orleans-style jazz, Girardot has built a highly personal and distinctive playing style. His deep understanding of rhythm and harmony, combined with his technical prowess, allows him to seamlessly navigate a wide range of musical genres, from swing and Gypsy jazz to blues, biguine, choro, and Creole music.
Now based in Paris, Girardot has developed an international reputation as a bassist of exceptional skill, having performed at some of Europe’s most prestigious jazz festivals and clubs. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with a variety of renowned musicians, including Leroy Jones, Don Vappie, Harry Allen, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Tcha Limberger, Dan Barrett, Evan Christopher, Ken Peplowski, and Fapy Lafertin.
His extensive discography includes recordings for iconic jazz labels such as GHB, Jazz Crusade, Fremeaux, Jazzology, Camille Productions, Black & Blue, and Lejazzetal Records. His contributions to the jazz world have earned him multiple prestigious awards, including the Prix de l’Académie du Jazz (2017), the Prix du Hot Club de France (2015, 2007, 2006), Jazz Magazine’s Choc de l’Année (2015), and the Sunday Times Jazz Album of the Year (2014).
Django à la Créole: Melding Gypsy Jazz with Caribbean Rhythms. A pivotal moment in Girardot’s career came when he became a founding member of Django à la Créole, a band that was inspired by the vision of celebrated clarinetist Evan Christopher. Christopher, known for his mastery of both traditional jazz and the rhythmic nuances of the Caribbean, envisioned a fusion of Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz with the vibrant, syncopated rhythms of the French Caribbean and Creole music.
Girardot played an integral role in shaping Django à la Créole’s distinctive sound with intricate bass lines with a solid groove, offering a deep foundation for the fusion of jazz and Creole rhythms. His ability to swing with precision while incorporating Caribbean syncopations made him essential to the ensemble’s success and served as the engine behind the group’s dynamic performances.
His role in the band remains one of the hallmarks of his career, and his bass playing continues to influence and inspire musicians seeking to merge diverse musical traditions.
Don Vappie and Jazz Créole: Celebrating the Spirit of New Orleans and Creole Culture. Girardot’s musical journey expanded further with his involvement in Don Vappie and Jazz Créole, an ensemble that celebrates the deep cultural ties between New Orleans jazz and Creole music. Led by the celebrated Creole guitarist and vocalist Don Vappie.
Girardot has played a crucial role in the group’s success. Working closely with Vappie, Girardot’s knowledge of New Orleans music allowed the group to explore classic jazz standards alongside original compositions inspired by the Creole musical tradition. Girardot’s playing is a testament to his ability to move between the classic swing of New Orleans and the intricate, syncopated rhythms that characterise Creole jazz. His style brings a sense of depth and warmth to the music, reinforcing the connection between jazz’s African American and Creole roots.
The Viper Club: Inspired by the Spirit of Stuff Smith. In more recent years, Girardot has been a key member of The Viper Club, a group that draws its inspiration from the legendary violinist and bandleader Stuff Smith. Known for his bold, swinging approach to jazz, Smith’s style was characterised by his virtuosic playing, bluesy sensibility, and high-energy performances. The Viper Club channels this spirit, fusing the improvisational freedom and emotional intensity of jazz with the raw, energetic style that Stuff Smith exemplified.
Much like Smith, the group embraces a certain gritty, unapologetic quality to its music, blending swing and blues with a modern sensibility and Girardot’s bass is an integral part of the band’s dynamic and engaging sound.
Versatility and Influence: A Journey Through Jazz and Creole Music. Throughout his career, Girardot has remained a highly sought-after bassist due to his versatility and wide-ranging musical interests. Whether performing in Django à la Créeole, collaborating with Don Vappie and Jazz Créole, or channeling the spirit of Stuff Smith with The Viper Club, Girardot has consistently pushed the boundaries of jazz while staying true to its rich traditions. His ability to blend diverse influences—from swing and Gypsy jazz to Creole and New Orleans rhythms—has made him one of the most respected musicians of his generation.
As a founding member of groups like Django à la Créole and The Viper Club, and as a regular performer with ensembles such as the Evan Christopher/Fapy Lafertin Quartet and the Michel Pastre Quintet, Sebastien Girardot’s career continues to evolve. He remains a key figure in the global jazz community, continually inspiring both audiences and fellow musicians with his exceptional bass playing with accolades reflecting his exceptional contributions to the jazz world and his ongoing impact on the genre.
As a musician who is equally at home in many early 20th-century musical styles, Girardot has proven time and again that he is a master of both tradition and innovation. His career represents a journey through the diverse landscapes of jazz, from the swing of New Orleans to the rhythms of the French Caribbean, and from the sounds of Gypsy jazz to the pioneering spirit of Stuff Smith’s violin-driven jazz.
Sebastien Girardot’s work continues to influence and shape the future of jazz, making him one of the most dynamic and respected bassists in the genre today.
YOUTUBE PLAYLIST OF SEBASTIEN GIRARDOT
SHOP SEBASTIEN GIRARDOT
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Gypsy Jazz
‘Live’ in Foix by the Tcha Limberger trio with Mozes Rosenberg
Price range: £6.99 through £12.00 -
Classic Jazz, Gypsy Jazz
A Summit in Paris by Evan Christopher and Fapy Lafertin
Price range: £6.99 through £14.00 -
Classic Jazz, Gypsy Jazz
Finesse by Evan Christopher’s Django a la Creole
Price range: £6.99 through £7.99 -
Gypsy Jazz, Jazz
Room 301 sessions by the George Washingmachine Quartet
Price range: £6.99 through £12.00 -
Classic Jazz
The Blue Book of Storyville by Don Vappie & Jazz Creole
Price range: £6.99 through £12.00
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