VI.BE

Born in Toulouse, France in 1990, Amaury Faye is a young talented pianist who’s currently exploring and creating a bridge between different cultures. Using his background, comprised of various important experiences and influences, he is building a very personal, deep, and unique universe.

By combining elements of French contemporary music (Debussy), German and Polish romanticism (Schumann, Chopin), and Eastern European and African rhythms with the sound of an American jazz trio, Amaury Faye is following a path pioneered by one of his idols, Brad Mehldau. At the same time, he incorporates elements of his new influences, including Tigran Hamasyan, Grammy­-nominated band Kneebody, and several musicians from New­ York’s current music scene.

Faye most recently performed with a large French collective ensemble, Initiative H, currently gaining fame in Europe. Led by French saxophonist David Haudrechy (Archie Shepp, Rick Margitza), this 12-member band has released a debut album (Deus Ex Machina, Neuklang 2013) and is now releasing a second (Dark Wave, Neuklang ­ 2015) with some of Europe's finest jazz musicians as guests. Acclaim from the public and the media alike is the result of a unique and creative process modeled by Haudrechy and executed by his musicians. The ensemble attained Finalist status at the 2013 Concours National de Jazz de la Défense in Paris, one of the best European jazz competitions.

At the age of 20, Amaury Faye released a first album composed of standards and originals (Big Moe Trio, Greenworks ­ 2010) featuring Louis Navarro (bass) and Pierre Ardré (drums). Inspired by the musical universes of Oscar Peterson, Hank Jones, and Kenny Barron, Faye decided to record his first album in a traditional way, using vintage material and spending only two days in the studio. The release is currently distributed in Europe and Japan. Three years after releasing the album, the trio was named a finalist in the French jazz competition Jazz en Baie 2013.

In 2014, Faye moved to Boston, USA to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where his strong artistic reputation enabled him to study with world-renowned musicians, including Joanne Brackeen and Tia Fuller. In March 2015, Faye received Berklee's Jazz Performance Award for best jazz pianist. Being a disciple of Joanne Brackeen has been a deeply inspiring experience, allowing Faye to attain higher levels of musical endeavor.

CAREER

- Album recorded and released in 2010 (Big Moe Trio, Greenworks Prod - 2010)

- Album with Initiative H recorded and released in 2013 (Deus Ex Machina, Neuklang - 2013)

- Finalist of Tremplin National Jazz en Baie 2013 (with Amaury Faye Trio)

- Finalist of Concours National de Jazz de la Défense 2013 (with Initiative H)

- Berklee Jazz Performance Award 2015 (2015 Berklee best jazz pianist)

- Album with Initiative H recorded in 2015, release for November (Darkwave, Neuklang - 2015)

- Finalist of Biberacher Jazzpreiss 2016 (with Amaury Faye Trio)

- Finalist of RéZZO FOCAL Jazz à Vienne 2016 (with Amaury Faye Trio)