Remi Panossian Trio (RP3)

In 10 years, with more than 300 gigs outside of the land of wine and cheese, this trio has become the emblem of French jazz abroad. Rémi Panossian, founder of the band, was appointed Chevalier des Arts et Lettres at the end of 2019 (!); ironically enough for what remains, first of all, a playful gang of lads, oscillating constantly between irony and double irony, as illustrated by the album cover of this fifth a studio album, which is quite reminiscent of the world of Wes Anderson. It becomes difficult to distinguish what is predictable and what is not, what is expected and what is surprising, as evidenced by their music which is halfway between compositions and improvisations, never far from burlesque without ever falling into it. 

RP3 are also mainly about melodic riffs that really stand out. A groovy and deeply light music in the writing and the arrangements, punctuated by a signature sound, in line with the great trios who have recently reinvented the piano/bass/drums set up (Bad Plus, E.S.T, Avishai Cohen…)

But no man is a prophet in his own country. If RP3 sell out in Asia, in South and North America, in many parts of Europe, they are paradoxically less reputed for their creativity, their long career and their sweet madness in France.