Home » Jazz Musicians » Moncef Genoud

Moncef Genoud

Born in 1961 in Tunis, Tunisia, Moncef was blind at birth. Flown to Switzerland to receive treatment on his eyes at the age of 2, he was adopted by a Swiss family shortly after. At 6 he began to take piano lessons, strongly encouraged by his adoptive father, a big Jazz fan who would often play records by Louis Armstrong or Fats Waller at the family's house. Blessed with a remarkable auditory memory that allowed him to learn and replicate any piece by ear, Moncef started to develop his own style. In 1987 he obtained a music teacher's degree from the Conservatory in Geneva, where he still teaches Jazz improvisation today.

A professional musician since 1983, Moncef quickly asserted himself as one of Switzerland's leading Jazz artists, thanks in part to the body of work he assembled with his Trio. In the course of his career he has played with the likes of Bob Berg, Alvin Queen, Reggie Johnson, Harold Danko, John Stubblefield, Joe LaBarbera, Michael Brecker, Larry Grenadier, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Bill Stewart, Idris Muhammad, James Cammack, Jack DeJohnette, Tom Warrington, Scott Colley, Sangoma Everett, and Billy Brooks, among many others.

In 1993 his Trio was the opening act for Tete Monteliu and Michel Petrucciani. The rest of the 1990's saw him tour all of Europe as well as India, Australia, Africa, Japan, the United States and Canada as a headliner. In 1994 he delighted the audience at the Vancouver and Montreal Jazz Festivals with brilliant performances. The following year he performed in Africa, where he and Youssou N'Dour became close friends. The two have since then played together on numerous occasions, developing a new African-Jazz sound, and were the main protagonists in the acclaimed 2006 documentary entitled “Return to Gorée” (CAB Productions). The project followed several musicians as they travel the route of West-African slaves from Senegal to the United States, while revisiting the musical evolution from Negro spirituals to Gospel to Jazz along the way.

In 1997 Moncef was selected to officially represent the Montreux Jazz Festival in New York, Detroit, and Atlanta. Since then Moncef has continued to grow and build his own catalogue, recording with formations ranging from the duet to the sextet, to even the symphonic orchestra. He lists Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Brad Mehldau as his influences, and is undoubtedly on his way to join some of these illustrious names as one of the major Jazz pianists of this generation.

Read more

Tags

437
Album Review

Moncef Genoud: Aqua

Read "Aqua" reviewed by Tracey Nolan


Though not as familiar a name as many of his contemporaries, Moncef Genoud promises to prove himself one of the major jazz pianists of his generation. Aqua, his tenth studio recording and first on the Savoy Jazz label, demonstrates his strengths as both composer and pianist. The disc is comprised of seven original compositions and three covers interpreted with the help of such luminaries as Michael Brecker and Bill Stewart. Genoud peppers the covers throughout. The first ...

Read more articles
101

Recording

Moncef Genoud Signs with Savoy Jazz, Releases "Aqua"

Moncef Genoud Signs with Savoy Jazz, Releases "Aqua"

Source: All About Jazz

Acclaimed Tunisian-born, Swiss-raised pianist Moncef Genoud has signed with Savoy Jazz and his first project for the legendary label is titled Aqua. Recorded in New York, Aqua is set for release in April 2006. The talented composer is accompanied by a stellar group of musicians including Michael Brecker, Bill Steward, Scott Colley and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Produced by Los Angeles-based Rollin' Dice Productions and dubbed his most ambitious project, Aqua comprises seven original numbers and three covers. Blind from birth, ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Aqua

Savoy Jazz
2006

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.