A Thing in Your Life

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THREE BLIND MICE est le nom extravagant d’un formidable trio de jazz basé en France. Leur son unique et leur style d’ensemble pourraient être qualifiés de « jazz de chambre » : ils vous entraînent dans leur univers swinguant à travers des arrangements subtils, ingénieux et souvent sophistiqués, des modulations inattendues et de surprenantes interprétations de grands classiques du jazz, anciens comme récents. Tout cela distingue les Mice de la plupart des autres trios actuels.

J’ai rencontré le trompettiste Malo Mazurié aux Pays-Bas il y a de nombreuses années, lorsqu’il participait au Jazzin’ July Workshop. Il n’avait alors que quinze ans et s’avérait déjà être un prodige, à la trompette comme au piano. À l’époque, son jeu de cornet reflétait l’influence de Bix Beiderbecke, légende de cet instrument dans les années 1920. Avançons rapidement jusqu’à cet enregistrement où l’on peut entendre comment—sans renier son cher Bix—Malo a élargi sa palette d’influences. La première piste, That’s a Plenty, montre un Malo en pleine maîtrise, prenant parfaitement le lead et swinguant dans un style proche de Roy Eldridge.

Bien que son jeu soit remarquable tout au long de l’album, je tiens à souligner son solo lyrique et léger sur The Pearls, ainsi que son hommage émouvant à Bix, note pour note, dans Jazz Me Blues. Il n’est donc pas étonnant qu’il soit aujourd’hui l’un des trompettistes de jazz français les plus demandés.

Le contrebassiste Sébastien Girardot et moi nous connaissons également depuis de nombreuses années. Je me souviens encore de notre premier concert ensemble. J’ai immédiatement été frappé par sa grande maîtrise technique : il joue magnifiquement de son instrument. Ensuite, j’ai perçu (ou probablement ressenti) sa pulsation des plus swinguantes. Enfin, j’ai découvert avec plaisir ses lignes mélodiques et ses judicieux choix de notes, alors qu’il traçait des chemins musicaux inédits et très personnels.

Un autre aspect crucial du jeu de Sébastien est l’attention qu’il porte à tout ce qui se passe autour de lui. « Seb » est toujours concentré et prêt à soutenir l’ensemble. Tous ces éléments font de lui un musicien unique et le contrebassiste idéal pour les THREE BLIND MICE (sans compter son superbe sens du rythme : écoutez son merveilleux et mélancolique solo sur Mis’ry and the Blues, l’un des nombreux et exceptionnels solos de cet album.)

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THREE BLIND MICE is the whimsical name of a terrific jazz trio based in France. Their unique sound and overall style could be called “Chamber Jazz”: they lure you into their swinging world via subtle, clever, and often intricate arrangements; unexpected key changes; and surprising approaches to old and new jazz favorites. All of this sets the Mice apart from virtually all other trios today.

I met trumpeter Malo Mazurié in the Netherlands many years ago, when he appeared at the Jazzin’ July Workshop as a fifteen-year-old phenomenon on both trumpet and piano. Back then, Malo’s cornet playing showed the influence of the 1920s cornet legend Bix Beiderbecke. Fast-forward to this recording, and hear how—without abandoning dear Bix—Malo has broadened his palette of influences. The opening selection, That’s a Plenty, shows Malo playing assured lead, and swinging something like Roy Eldridge!

His playing throughout the CD is outstanding, but I must mention his lyrical, lilting solo on The Pearls and his moving note-for-note tribute to Bix on Jazz Me Blues. No wonder he has become one of France’s most in-demand jazz trumpet players.

Bassist Sébastien Girardot and I have also known each other for many years. I still remember our first gig together. I was immediately struck by his great technique: he plays the instrument beautifully. Then I heard (or perhaps felt) his very swinging beat. I also found myself enjoying his lines, and his interesting note choices as he created new and personal musical pathways.

Another important element of Sébastien’s playing is the way he pays attention to everything going on! "Seb” is always focused, and ready to help the band. All of this adds up to a very special musician, and the perfect bassist for THREE BLIND MICE. (Besides his great rhythm playing, dig Seb’s marvelous, melancholy solo on Mis’ry and the Blues—just one of several great solos in this set.)

I met guitarist Felix Hunot much more recently. Felix and I have formed a bond that makes me feel I have known him much longer. Like the two other Mice, Felix takes the music he plays quite seriously. However, none of these Mice are what one could call “serious!” Any one of them can make you laugh so hard, you’ll wish you were wearing a diaper.

As you listen to Felix, you might hear echoes of Eddie Lang’s rhythmic bass lines, or Django’s propulsive accents, or Freddie Green’s Kansas City-styled rhythm playing. Then, of course, there are Felix’s well-constructed, swinging solos. You see, Felix not only knows and understands the history of jazz guitar, but knows when to tap into those resources to help the trio from the downbeat to the final chord. Note also how he often harmonizes with Malo’s trumpet like another horn. With Seb’s bass anchoring the bottom, this makes the trio sound like a larger band. Felix switches to banjo for two numbers in this set: the delightful Grande Valse Brilliante, and The Pearls. On the latter tune, the banjo works beautifully with the arco (bowed) bass, and Felix plays the TRIO section of the song impeccably.

Felix also sings three songs in this set. His singing is unaffected, and free of any “phoniness.” It’s straightforward, honest singing, with a charming voice that makes me wish he’d recorded more vocals here!

It would be natural to say that Felix and Sébastien form a great rhythm section. The fact is, with Malo in the mix, all three of these Mice are a great rhythm section! In short, these three very gifted Mice are equal partners in all they do.

So, beware: you may think you’ve set a world-class mousetrap, but I guarantee that these THREE BLIND MICE will easily steal your cheese.

Dan Barrett
Kansas City, MO - 19 Aug 2024