I CURATE!
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Curations by:
The Matrix via ↴
Who I Am & Where I Live
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Name:
Meddy Gerville
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City:
Saint-Denis
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Country:
Réunion
My Life & Work
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Bio:
Born in 1974 in St-Pierre on Réunion Island, Meddy Gerville recorded his first album in 1997 called “Réunion Island” which included some prestigious artists from Paris: Louis Winsberg, Nicolas Folmer, Philippe Sellam and various local Réunionese musicians.
In 2000 Meddy won the Pian’Austral Award for the best pianist in the Indian Ocean (with the acclaimed Alain Jean-Marie as one of the judges). Following that, Meddy released his second album “Jazz’Oya” with guest musicians from the Paris and Réunion: Olivier Louvel (The Barbès National Orchestra), Stéphane Guillaume, (Didier Lockwood and Stéphane Huchard, The National Orchestra of Jazz), Linley Marthe (Joe Zawinul).
In 2003 Meddy released his third album titled “Sobat’ ek Lamour” (Fight with Love “Not with War”), with artists that he previously worked with: Nicolas Folmer, Stéphane Guillaume, Daniel Zimmermann, Olivier Louvel, Louis Winsberg as well as Fabrice Legros.
2006 was a major turning point for this Réunionese pianist. Simultaneously working on two albums; the first was “Jazz Amwin” (Tease Me with Jazz), a fusion of Jazz and Maloya which included collaborations from bassist Dominique Di-Piazza, drummer Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez and guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay. The second focused on a popular local genre of Sega/Maloya, titled “Ti pa ti pa n’alé” (Step by Step we are Going to Save Our Culture) with guest artist Danyèl Waro and various Réunionese musicians from local bands. Both albums were also released simultaneously.
Between 2006 and 2008, Meddy increased his collaborations by working with Pierre Bertrand’s Paris Jazz Big Band, Marc Berthoumieux’s and Nicolas Folmer. He also had the opportunity to perform on stage with the American bassist Matthew Garrison.
Meddy’s sixth album was released in May 2008, titled “Fo kronm la vi” (Enjoy Life) which featured a mix of Maloya Jazz. The highlight of this album was the inclusion of Michel Alibo an expert and mind blowing bassist.
In 2010, Meddy performed on the mythical Parisian stage of the Olympia during the “Carib’in Jazz Festival 2010”. He returned to the Olympia in 2013, sharing the marquee with another Réunion star, Dominique Barret. Meddy was then welcomed to Shanghai and Beijing for the first time in 2010, returning in 2012 to perform at various festivals and other music venues throughout China.
In 2011, Meddy released his seventh album titled “7ème Ciel” (7th Heaven). Which was highly requested and ran on all local radio stations, including the music video being played on all local music television stations. He was also presented with the “Voices of the Indian Ocean” Award in July 2011. He then releases a second single titled “Mon Abri” (My Home), featuring singer Tom Frager and Lady Melody as the guest artist, which was also a huge success, allowing Meddy to be broadcast for the first time on major regional radio stations throughout France. The song was the third most downloaded, reported in the “Francophonie Diffusion” in September 2012 just behind Salif Keita and DJ David Guetta!
Between 2012 and 2014, Meddy Gerville continued to perform on a multitude of stages around the world.
In 2015, he released his eighth album titled “Ek out Lamour” (With Your Love) which was also of the Séga/Maloya genre.
“Tropical Rain” is born in 2017 and already promises to not disappoint, delivering the soulful and sultry music in a style that only Meddy can deliver. The basic formation of this opus consists of Giovanni Hidalgo on percussion, Lionel Louéké on guitar, Michel Alibo, impressing us on the bass and Emmanuel Félicité on the drums. Additional guest musicians include: the great trumpet player Randy Brecker, the bandoline virtuoso Hamilton De Hollanda, guitar genius Nguyen Le, percussionist Stéphane Edouard, the captivating voice Myra Maud, great accordionist Marc Berthoumieux, impressive drummer Damien Schmitt, outstanding bassist Dominique DiPiazza, exceptional Karim Ziad, Bernard Joron, Olivier Araste (Lindigo), Fabrice Legros, young bassist Teddy Sorres, flutist Christophe Zoogonès and guitarist Thomas Manerouck.
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