Gilles Grethen Quartet
Luxembourg guitarist Gilles Grethen’s quartet, with Vincent Pinn (trumpet & flugelhorn), Gabriele Basilico (double bass) and Michel Meis (drums), convinces with a rich sound diversity and compositions oscillating between traditional and modern jazz. Warm harmonies and lyrical melodies, combined with a captivating rhythm and underlined by Grethen’s warm yet vibrant guitar sound, are the ingredients of their music. Both motives developed in unison and bold improvisations reveal the complicity of the four musicians.
The Gilles Grethen Quartet released its debut album in May 2021 on Double Moon Records. The exploration of the classical tradition of the suite and its translation into the modern jazz idiom as well as the desire to thematically and tonally link his compositions inspired Gilles Grethen to propose a jazz suite consisting of six movements: the “Time Suite”.
Their sophomore album “State of Mind” (October 2022 / Double Moon Records) further develops the band’s sound. This time however, the 4 musicians are joined by 11 strings, which results in a constant dialogue: between the quartet and the string orchestra; between swing, modern jazz inspired by Mark Turner or Kurt Rosenwinkel, and experimental soundscapes; between composed passages and free improvisation. But Grethen not only explores new sounds in his compositions, but also – from contemplation to delirium and delusion to transcendental experiences – different states of mind.
The pairing of the quartet with an orchestra is the logical next step in Gilles Grethen’s artistic work, which focuses on composition and arrangement for a wide variety of ensembles, from jazz duos and big bands to symphonic orchestras and film music.
State of Mind
Forgetful
Stars & Asteroids
Black Holes
Gilles Grethen – guitar
Vincent Pinn – trumpet, flugelhorn
Gabriele Basilico – double bass
Michel Meis – drums
Live Line-up
Quartet & string orchestra
Repertoire: State of Mind
Quartet & string quintet
Repertoire: State of Mind
Quartet
Repertoire: State of Mind, Time Suite & other
Pictorial, lyrical-melancholic compositions that oscillate gently between tradition and modernity.
Jazz thing (DE)
Grethen’s ideas are original and marked by many rhythmic and harmonic surprises.
Concerto (AT)
First class jazz where the soloists get a real chance to solo and make their statements.
Midwest Records (US)
Ranging between tradition and free soundscapes, between dreamy, quiet pieces and tracks with a complex pulse and a delicate drive.
Saarbrücker Zeitung (DE)
The sound of the trumpet and the guitar is wonderful. Their joint phrases in duet are beautiful, both musicians have an individual playing style and the rhythm section ties it all together perfectly. We like the “Next Generation” very much!
Jazz-Fun.de (DE)
The atmosphere of the record, both serene and mesmerising, is tirelessly energised by improvised moments of which you never know if they will last forever or slip through your fingers.
Le Quotidien (LU)
Selection of past shows
B-Flat Berlin (DE) / Cube521 Marnach (LU) / Domicil Dortmund (DE) / Garden Sounds Wiltz (LU) / Jazz am Mäuseturm Bingen (DE) / Jazz Loft Project – Christkönig Kirche Saarbrücken (DE) / Jules Verne Saarbrücken (DE) / Kazzwoo Mannheim (DE) / Kettenfabrik Saarbrücken (DE) / Like a Jazz Machine Festival (LU) / Liquid Luxembourg (LU) / Neimënster Luxembourg (LU) / Summer in the City – Place d’Armes Luxembourg (LU) / Terminus Sarreguemines (FR) / Theater im Viertel Saarbrücken (DE) / Völklinger Hüttenjazz (DE), …
State of Mind
Double Moon/Challenge Records
2022
Gilles Grethen – guitar
Vincent Pinn – trumpet, flugelhorn
Gabriele Basilico – double bass
Michel Meis – drums
Strings:
1st Violin: Aya Kitaoka, Barbara Juniewicz, Elisabeth Zasman
2nd Violin: Anastasia Milka, Natalka Totovytskam, Wan-Ru Cheng
Viola: Julia Vicic, Rainer Staringer
Cello: Bea Magdalena Sallaberger, Yung-Han Cheng
Double Bass: Lukas Rudolph
Conducted by Benjamin Schäfer
Time Suite
Double Moon/Challenge Records
2021