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Romain Pilon

Romain Pilon grew up in France and started to play the guitar at the age of 10 inspired by AC/DC's lead guitarist, Angus Young. Romain studied with various private teachers in his hometown before entering the Jazz Conservatory of Chambery in 1997. After auditionning for the famous Berklee College of Music, he was awarded a scholarship and moved to Boston for 4 years where he studied with world class musicians including Mick Goodrick, Hal Crook, Dave Santoro, Joe Lovano and Peter Bernstein. During his studies Romain was presented with 3 Berklee College music awards and in 2002 his quartet opened for Pat Metheny, representing the entire school guitar department of over 1000 students. Whilst in Boston Romain performed Christian Scott's debut CD featuring Walter Smith III.

After receiving his degree in Jazz Perfomance, Romian moved to New York where he played with musicians like Ferenc Nemeth, Lionel Loueke, Seamus Blake, Matt Brewer, Carlos Henriquez, Jerome Sabbagh, Albert Sanz, Rob Stillman...

Now based in Paris, aside from performance and his own artistic projects, Romain teaches jazz improvisation, composition and guitar. He has played in many prestigious venues and festivals such as Malta Jazz Festival, Pizza Express (London), Jazz Bar (Edinburgh), Jazz in Marciac, Jazz à Couches, Crescent Jazz Club, Duc des Lombards, Sunset/ Sunside (Paris), Centro Quatro (Belo Horyzonte), Recife Jazz festival, Blue note (Milan), Amr (Geneva)... In 2004 he formed his band with tenor saxophonist David Prez, the David Prez/ Romain Pilon Group. To date, they have released two CDs to critical aclaim, "...probably one of the most sincere and enthousiasthic jazz groups to emerge in france" Jazz Magazine-Jazzman.

Since 2010 he is a member of the Paris Jazz Underground collective, reuniting six autonomous musicians who aim at exposing their music through their combined endeavor. Their last album received the highest rating in Jazz magazine (Choc). His first trio record as a leader, recorded in Ny, with Colin Stranahan (dr) and Matt Brewer (bs) was released in April 2012. It was selected among the 7 "Chocs" (highest rating) of august in Jazz magazine, also among the 6 best releases in Jazz News August 2012.

In october 2013 Romain released his second album as a leader : "Colorfield" (Whirlwind Recordings/Proper Music/Harmonia Mundi). It features Walter Smith III on tenor sax, Michael Janisch on bass and Jamire Williams on drums.

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2
Album Review

Jeff Denson, Romain Pilon and Brian Blade: Finding Light

Read "Finding Light" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Boston's Berklee College of Music has the reputation as an incubator of some top rated musicians including Quincy Jones, Diana Krall and Melissa Etheridge among others. So it should come as no surprise that the threesome attached to this recording, bassist Jeff Denson, guitarist Romain Pilon and drummer Brian Blade were all standout students and friends while simultaneously attending Berklee. Like many other musicians, the two terrible years of the Covid-19 pandemic, put many communal activities ...

9
Album Review

Jeff Denson, Romain Pilon, Brian Blade: Between Two Worlds

Read "Between Two Worlds" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann


American bassist Jeff Denson and French guitarist Romain Pilon not only became professional acquaintances, but also great friends, when they began their studies at the much-revered Boston Berklee College of Music at the end of the last century. On Between Two Worlds the two celebrate their twenty years of on-and-off collaborating, with leading drum wizard Brian Blade completing the trio. In a set of mostly clear structures and highly melodic interplay between all involved, a crunchy guitar effect paired with ...

5
Album Review

Romain Pilon: Colorfield

Read "Colorfield" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay


French guitarist Romain Pilon might have been inspired in his early years by AC/DC's Angus Young, but he's clearly taking his cues from much calmer influences on Colorfield. Pilon is accompanied by tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, double bassist (and Whirlwind Records owner) Michael Janisch and drummer Jamire Williams on this atmospheric collection. Colorfield is a bit of a sleeper. The music is uniformly easy to listen to, mostly slow- to mid-tempo and rarely if ever springs any ...

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"A thoughtfully composed and melodic cd... Pilon is world class " 4 stars, Financial Times.com

"Excellent" Colorfield : Top 6 albums Nov 2013, Jazz News

"...a sustained aesthetic that makes it a perfect mood piece... In it's own way a quiet masterpiece " 4stars, the Jazzmann.com

“Pilon is without doubt one of the most outstanding guitarists to have emerged in recent years.” Bebop Spoken Here

"A well balanced and profound album... Romain pilon displays his talent in composition and focused-well built choruses…An impeccable cast". Jazz Magazine, Nov 2013.

"...a must have of modern jazz" Djam.com

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Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Finding Light

Ridgeway Records
2022

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Between Two Worlds

Ridgeway Records
2019

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Colorfield

Whirlwind Recordings
2013

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Daily Jubilee of Dancing Herbie D.

From: Finding Light
By Romain Pilon

Song of A Solitary Crow

From: Between Two Worlds
By Romain Pilon

Videos

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