Jean-Louis Matinier

Jean-Louis Matinier (born 1963 in Nevers, France) is a leading contemporary accordion player in the fields of jazz and world music.

Life and work

Matinier studied classical music, then turned to jazz and other forms of improvised music. From 1989 to 1991 he played in the French National Jazz Orchestra. His way of playing is strongly influenced by the attitude of a European, chamber jazz, with its specific uptake of the accordion tradition affects the music but also relaxing. His compositions are imaginative and he turns his instrument versatile. Matinier occurs usually with other instrumentalists, such as with Renaud Garcia-Fons, who accompanied him in a very interactive duo on his bass. In Germany, he first became known through performances with Michael Riessler. Matinier has previously collaborated with Louis Sclavis, Gianluigi Trovesi, Michel Godard, François Couturier, Philippe Caillat, and Anouar Brahem.