My Top Five Albums - Grégory Privat
If you're building a list of jazz records that reward close, repeated listening this year, put Grégory Privat's Darling near the top of it.
The Martinique-born pianist's third solo album finds him playing every instrument himself, and the title track is where that commitment is most exposed, no collaborators to lean on, just Privat and the space he creates.
You'll want to know the backstory too. Privat has spent over fifteen years developing a sound that fuses jazz with the Creole music of his island, work that's earned him the Académie du Jazz's Prix Django Reinhardt, Adami's "Artist to Watch" award, and a Knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters in 2025.
Don't stop at the title track, either. Darling also includes 'Dwèt Crazy', now available as a live session ahead of its 2nd October release via Believe Music. Recorded solo at a loop station with layered piano, synths, vocals and percussion, it's a companion piece worth seeking out for anyone drawn to the album's central idea: one musician, an entire world of sound.
We had an opportunity to chat to Grégory about his top picks following this busy season for his ever growing discography…
Music - Michel Petrucciani
He is the pianist that really influences me about playing jazz and composing tunes with strong melodies
Malavoi - Live à Club Med World
Malavoi is a famous band from Martinique, traditional music from Martinique with strings. My father is playing piano in this band, and I grew up listening to this music. I remember sitting with my father and listening to his piano solo on the track “Case à Lucie”, great memories !
Marius Cultier - Marius Cultier
Great album from a great pianist and composer from Martinique. I think he influenced a lot of jazz piano players in Martinique.
Possibilities - Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock is of course a master of jazz piano, but I’m truly inspired about the risks he took to play all kinds of different styles of music. He inspired all the new generation of jazz musicians today. I really enjoy his message behind the music: spirituality, make the world a better place.
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
I love this album from Joni Mitchel, when I met Peter Herskin, the drummer on this album, he told me that there were a lot of “one take” tracks, so much emotion in her voice that a lot people in the orchestra were crying. And what a great orchestration by Vince Mendoza.
