Thomas Savy

After studying classical clarinet at the CNR in Paris where he obtained a First Prize in 1993, Thomas Savy joined the "Jazz and improvised music" department of the CNSM in Paris in 1994, and worked under the direction of François Jeanneau, Hervé Sellin, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, Daniel Humair and François Théberge before obtaining a First Prize in improvisation in 1997.

Parallel to his studies, he frequented clubs in small groups, and quickly became a regular in the Parisian big bands. He also participates in the development of projects in the world of contemporary music (INA-GRM, Radio-France) and electro (Zend Avesta) in collaboration with Arnaud Rebotini (composition, direction, programming) and Vincent Artaud (composition, orchestration, electric bass, double bass, keyboards).

Poly-instrumentalist (saxes, clarinets), electric bass player on occasion, it is generally in the tenor saxophone position that he appears in the big bands. But it is on the bass clarinet, a singular instrument to which he devotes exclusively his activities as a leader and composer, that his personality is best expressed, nourished by the tradition of the saxophone and the big band as well as the music of John Coltrane or Wayne Shorter which fascinated him at a very young age. Beyond this deep attachment to the history of jazz and its practice in its traditional forms, his "double culture" as a performer with a strong background in contemporary music and as an improviser makes Thomas Savy a musician at ease in the most modern contexts.

Thomas Savy is or has been involved in the activities, on stage and in the studio, of Christophe Dal Sasso's Nonet, Nine Spirit (Raphaël Imbert), Pierrick Pedron's sextet, the group Artaud, the Vintage Orchestra, the Slow Band (François Théberge), François Laudet's big band, the Institute of Advanced Harmony (Steve Potts), David El Malek's group Music From the source, Fabien Mary's octet, and Amy Gamlen's quintet. He has also taken part in recordings by Christian Escoudé, Patrick Artero, Rick Margitza, Julien Loureau... establishing himself as a true reference on his instrument, combining the rigour of a classical concert performer with the qualities of a jazz and contemporary music improviser.

Photo credits: Fabrice Journo - Laëtitia Lecuyer