Hadrien Feraud
Hadrien Feraud (born 16 August 1984 in Paris) is a French Jazz fusion-bassist.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Feraud was born into a family of musicians.[1] His first guitar lessons were from his father when he was eight years old.
Feraud was originally more interested in playing the drums. Only after listening to the CD "The Birthday Concert" by Jaco Pastorius, a present from his dad at the age of 12, did he apply himself to studying the electric bass on his own. Deeply fascinated and motivated by Jaco's entire musical output, he became one of the youngest bass virtuosos to come out of France in 10 years.
He expanded his musical universe by occasional collaborations and listening/studying the tunes of many other bassists and musicians such as: Christian McBride, Victor Bailey, Anthony Jackson, Skúli Sverrisson, Gary Willis, Matthew Garrison, Richard Bona and Linley Marthe.[2] Both, the complete musical work of Jaco Pastorius and the band Weather Report with Pastorius on bass has been and is still his main source of inspiration. [3]
Christian Pegand (John McLaughlin's and Bireli Lagrene's concert manager) invited Feraud in 2001 to play at the concert "bass contre bass". Surrounded by Bireli Lagrene and Sylvain Luc on guitars and Franck Agulhon on drums, he had a noticeable impact. Lagrene recognised Feraud's enormous talent.
In 2002 via Bireli Lagrene Feraud became acquainted with Jim and Jon Grancamp from Strasbourg. Jim Grancamp (guitars), Jon Grancamp (drums) and Feraud on bass formed a power-trio called "Le Cartel". They performed on various stages in the French capital, around France and abroad.
Eager to meet more people, he participated in several contests, such as "Euro Bass Day 2003" in Verona where he shone through as the winner. He emerged also in the French contest "Haut les basses" in 2004.
[edit] Work
Towards the end of 2004 Feraud started composing works for his first solo project, in parallel to playing at several clubs and jams in the Paris scene.
In 2005 John McLaughlin invited Feraud to contribute on two tracks ("For Jaco", "Senor CS") on his album "Industrial Zen". [4]
This was a pivotal encounter for Hadrien.
In 2006 he finished recording his first solo album "Hadrien Feraud" with a huge number of prestigious guests: John McLaughlin, Bireli Lagrene, Flavio Boltro, Jean-Marie Ecay, Jean-Pierre Como, Marc Berthoumieux, Mokhtar Samba, Jim Grancamp, Jon Grancamp, Dominique di Piazza, Thierry Eliez, Linley Marthe
In 2007 he took part in Chick Corea's 5trio project.
After that he went on tour in North America and Canada. A European tour followed in 2008, as a member of John McLaughlin and the 4th dimension (with Gary Husband on keys and Mark Mondesir on drums).[5]
Playing on, arranging and producing Bireli Lagrene's new electric band album follows.
[edit] Quotes
"Of course... Jaco influenced me. It is the reason why I wanted to become a musician!!" - Hadrien Feraud [6]
"When I heard Jaco and Weather Report the first time, I fell in love. What I love in Jaco’s music are the feelings and images it creates in your mind" Hadrien Feraud [7]
"...for me, he’s the new Jaco [Pastorius]" - John McLaughlin [8]
"Usually I do what everybody does; each time I hear something that is attractive to my ears, I pick it up when I can." - Hadrien Feraud [9]
[edit] Basses and amps
- Burner 5 Strings "Ken Smith"
- FODERA Beez Elite 5 (special manufacture)
- F BASS Fretless 5 strings
- GODIN 5 Acc Fretless with Axon Midi system
- GT5 vintage KEN SMITH Master built
- Mike CURRY special
In September 2009, Hadrien Feraud and Ken Smith announced the creation of the "Hadrien Feraud Signature Burner", to be made in Japan by Hajime Hirose and SleekElite, under the direction of Ken Smith. Hand built models are scheduled to be released before the end of 2009, with mass produced simplified models (no exotic tops or woods) to be released in early 2010. Early photographs show the bass with a buckeye burl top, maple neck, ebony fretboard and removable ebony ramp, and it will also featured the Ken Smith 18v preamp, with a Mid Switch for different tones and volume boost.
- MARKBASS System AMP [10]
- Clubs : CMD102P + TRAVELER 102P
- Bigger than Club : F1 or SD800 on 2 cabinets 104HR Standard ( 8 X 10' )
[edit] Awards
- Down Beat Critics Poll "Rising Star Electric Bassist of the year" 2008
- Down Beat Critics Poll 2nd position in "Rising Star Electric Bass" 2009
- Bass Player Magazin "Readers Choice Award" Most Exciting new Player 2009
[edit] Discography
- Industrial Zen / John McLaughlin 2006
- Hadrien Feraud / Hadrien Feraud 2007
- Brooklyn, Paris to Clearwater / Chick Corea 2007
- Official Pirate / John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension 2007
- Floating Point / John McLaughlin 2008
- Bireli Electric Side / Bireli Lagrene 2008
[edit] CD Reviews
[edit] External links
- Official Website (English/French)
- Hadrien Feraud on Myspace (English)
- Fansite (English)
- Announcement of Ken Smith Signature Burner model (with pictures) on Talkbass
- Discussion With Hadrien Feraud
[edit] Notes
- ^ His father performed as a guitarist in the late 60s and early 70s with many French stars and rock and rhythm and blues bands. His mother appeared as a singer in famous musicals like "Les Miserables" under the direction of Robert Hossein and in rock and roll bands.
- ^ "I am self taught. It was my father who taught me the bass to start with and I spent my time absorbing all of Jaco's oeuvre for 4 or 5 years. Then I began to listen to other bass players and various instrumentalists. Jaco gave me touch, fluidity, lyricism, and also his manner of sustaining certain notes - "the growl". And, of course, the fretless "touch". Then I discovered bass players such as: Christian McBride and Victor Bailey who can make a groove sing. Also Anthony Jackson, Richard Bona, Marc Bertaux. I was also inspired by guitarists like: Bireli Lagrene, Sylvain Luc, John McLaughlin, pianists like Joe Zawinul, JPierre Como, Chick Corea, Thierry Eliez, and lots of other greats: Michael Brecker, Jim Beard. Bass players like Dominique Di Piazza, Gary Willis, Skulli Sverisson and Matthew Garrison also inspired me because they have a clear vision of the instrument: they play bass guitar and have a very interesting way of sounding . I was never concerned with music schools. The one and only class I ever took was with Dominique Di Piazza when I was about 15 or 16." Interview 2006
- ^ artist's statement
- ^ "For Jaco it is a fitting tribute; aggressive percussion from Mark Mondesir and Gary Husband supports the skittering and catchy melody as Hadrian Feraud's fretless bass weaves in and out of the interplay by Evans and McLaughlin." see review "Industrial Zen"
- ^ "While McLaughlin’s calling Feraud The New Jaco in recent press reports is more about the young bassist’s already remarkable innovations at the age of twenty-three, hearing him play a Pastorius tune confirmed that Feraud’s already done his share of wood-shedding with the late bassist’s work." road diary 4th dimension / allaboutjazz.com
- ^ Interview 2006
- ^ bassplayer magazin Interview 2007
- ^ Interview 2007 - all about jazz
- ^ Interview 2008 - UK Bass Guitar Magazin
- ^ Endorsement