What is the history of the project?

My first project in connection with this repertoire was in 2017 when I programmed the three part French Connection series at the Fisher Center at Bard College in NY. This culminated with Les Belles Chansons Françaises in 2018, a major concert featuring Cécile and Dan. A French Salon is the next chapter in this journey. Bringing this music to life at The Grange Festival, accompanied by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, is a thrilling project. Cecile and Dan were the two perfect jazz musicians who could lead the event.

Tell us about planning this concert and what it is all about:

Planning for this concert started over two years ago. Pianist Dan Tepfer is an artist I have also collaborated with for a number of years. Born to American parents living in France, he grew up in Paris. As well as numerous awards, he won the top prize in jazz piano, the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter Fellowship in 2007. Dan navigates the divide between the classic and jazz world, often using classical inspiration, such as Bach’s Goldberg Variations, to create entirely new and exciting music combining the original score with inventive improvisations. Now both living in Brooklyn, NY, Dan and Cécile are great friends and frequent musical partners.

Despite its popularity, the French Song Book is rarely performed outside of France. The music demands authenticity and “French” flair and I was convinced that pairing Cécile and Dan was essential for this project. I asked Dan Tepfer, to be the Musical Director and commissioned him to write an Art Song for Cécile and string orchestra. It was their idea to put to music the three surviving poems of Virginie Sampeur a 19th century Haitian poet. Cecile’s father is Haitian so the choice is perfect. He also chose French arranger Philippe Maniez to create our show-stopping finale of new orchestral arrangements featuring André Messager & Sacha Guitry's J'ai deux amants, Jacques Brel's Ne me quitte pas and Édith Piaf's Mon Dieu.

Large scale Festivals allow the producer to be big, bold, take risks and create “once in a lifetime events”. I am delighted that French guest pianist Thomas Enhco will be joining Dan on stage for thrilling double piano and that Dan will be one of the first Jazz pianists ever to take the piano seat for Ravel’s PIano Concerto in G major.