Alex Terrier

Artist Information

Biography

Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, Educator. Available for concerts, clinics and composition commission.

Parisian-born, Brooklyn based saxophonist/composer Alex Terrier, recipient of numerous awards on both sides of the pond, announces the release of his second CD as a leader, Roundtrip (available October 6, 2009), featuring Roy Assaf (piano), François Moutin (bass) + Steve Davis (drums), with Akira Ishiguro (guitar-tracks 2 + 5) and Edouard Brenneisen (guitar-tracks 8 + 10). On Roundtrip, an album of all original compositions, Terrier has created a tour-de-force recording where the energy of the New York jazz scene meets the melodic poetry of European music.

"Alex is a very impressive saxophonist and composer who has organized some beautiful and exciting music with wonderful contributions by notable young players active on the New York scene these days. Terrier has a compelling sound and approach that should interest the serious listener" – Dave Liebman

Terrier’s earliest days as a musician consisted of performing classical piano pieces. The night he heard live jazz for first time, the Berklee grad decided right then and there to devote his life to music. With Parker, Miles and Coltrane as his early guides to jazz, and the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Schoenberg and Bartok as his first sources of study for composition, Terrier has gone on to developed a highly distinctive and personal voice.
 Despite the praise received from the likes of Lovano, Liebman, Garzone and others, Terrier is most gratified by the many messages of support he receives from listeners.

Roundtrip opens with the burning, up tempo title track with Terrier coming on like a hurricane on the alto saxophone. Terrier explains, “This piece is based on a composition by Wayne Shorter. I wanted to write an up-tempo tune, with the energy and sound that are specific to the New York sound. I hope one can hear the strong influence of artists such as Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter and Bobby Watson. For me it truly reflects the excitement of returning to New York City after traveling around the world!”

"An energetic saxophonist, Alex Terrier creates in his compositions a world that is striking and personal"
– Jerome Sabbagh

Terrier wrote “The Spirit Will Not Descend Without A Song” “after reading ‘Blues People’ by Leroi Jones”. “E.S.B. And Ecstasy” is a composition “very much in the stream of the Dave Holland Quintet with long and asymmetrical bass patterns and many different sections. I guess for the solo I'm trying to put myself in a state of electrical stimulation and under ecstasy,” said Terrier. On the lyrical, poetic song, “Le Miroir Des Anges Déguisés” (The Mirror of The Disguised Angels), the saxophonist captures the vibe of a famous place in Paris. Terrier fills us in; “You can find this mirror in an old bookstore in Paris located in the center by the river. One should go on the second floor to find it. It is used to leave messages to people around the world who have to come to the mirror to read them (an old fashion IM I guess!). I did leave a message and then wrote this piece. I tried to be as lyrical as possible again, and I wanted it to be poetic. It is probably the most European influenced song in its feel and the compositional techniques I've used.”

“I recommend Alex Terrier to anyone who needs a sax player” – George Garzone

“Tompkins Square”, featuring Edouard Brenneisen on guitar, finds the band in a contemplative, but swinging mood, playing a piece that is dedicated to a close friend of Terrier’s, and a savvy art lover. It was written after the pair walked around the city late one night and ended up in Tompkins Square park hanging out with a crowd of East Village locals all night. “Departure” is very slow and poetic. The most humble song, just about doing something beautiful (I hope). A departure might bring sadness to leave someone you care for, a place you're attached to . . . but it brings also the joy of doing something new, going in the unknown, and a certain sense of serenity. This piece is dedicated to my younger sister”, said Terrier. The album closes with “The Dark Side Of Democracy”, written in the style of one of Terrier’s heroes, Ornette Coleman.

Roundtrip is a powerfully engaging statement from a new voice on the saxophone. One that has grabbed the attention of players that represent the pinnacle of artistry on the instrument, Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Jerome Sabbagh and others.

Works of art, literature and music are often judged by how much of his/her true self the creator has put into the work. With that criteria, Roundtrip has the great potential to exceed expectations, to delight and to inspire.

Alex Terrier supports Reef Fest and will give a portion of the sales of this album to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. For more information or to become involved with Reef Fest, please visit www.Reeffest.org

Instrumentation

Alex Terrier: Saxophones, Compositions
Roy Assaf: Piano
François Moutin: Bass
Steve Davis: Drums
Optional additional instruments: guitar

Discography

Roundtrip, Stop Requested, New Work, Rhetoric, Group Saloum, Ars Nova, Half A Year, Common Ground, The new old school.

Official Website

http://www.alexterriermusic.com

Links

• Artist's Website
• Artist's Youtube channel
• Artist's Myspace
• Artist's Facebook
• Artist's Reverbnation

Audio

• Roundtrip
  Listen  
• The Spirit Will Not Descend Without A Song
  Listen  
• Song For Keli
  Listen  
• Le Miroir Des Anges Déguisés
  Listen  
• Tompkins Square
  Listen  
• L'Heautontimoroumenos
  Listen  

Video

Trailer

Photo Gallery

Press

• Joe Lovano [+ Show ]
  

  Alex is a very gifted and expressive saxophonist. He's shown in performance a very strong developing...Alex is a very gifted and expressive saxophonist. He's shown in performance a very strong developing conception as a composer and a soloist

• Dave Liebman [+ Show ]
  

  Alex is a very impressive saxophonist and composer who has organized some beautiful and exciting mus...Alex is a very impressive saxophonist and composer who has organized some beautiful and exciting music with wonderful contributions by notable young players active on the New York scene these days. Terrier has a compelling sound and approach that should interest the serious listene

• Jeff Dayton-Johnson
  

  A brilliant new talent

• Bill Milkowski
  

  A compelling saxophonist and a first-rate composer

• Vincenzo Roggero
  

  Terrier's compositions are an oasis of emotions and feelings

• Chris Spector [+ Show ]
  

  Certainly a young lion to add to your play list, he plays nu mainstream with a surety that comes wit...Certainly a young lion to add to your play list, he plays nu mainstream with a surety that comes with having nothing to prove and just letting the blowing flow

• Victor Aaron [+ Show ]
  

  Terrier can play all the saxophones, but his soprano is one of the more poetic and naturally soundin...Terrier can play all the saxophones, but his soprano is one of the more poetic and naturally sounding expressions heard out of that horn in a long while. Terrier's sax sings with the articulation and cadence of a mockingbird, using the instrument as an extension of purely human expression

• Richard Kamins [+ Show ]
  

  Roundtrip is a delight from begenning to end and there are moments that remind me of Wayne Shorter r...Roundtrip is a delight from begenning to end and there are moments that remind me of Wayne Shorter recent Quartet music

• Boston Phoenix [+ Show ]
  

  Saxophonist Alex Terrier tears through the changes with the power and articulation of Kenny Garrett ...Saxophonist Alex Terrier tears through the changes with the power and articulation of Kenny Garrett born anew

Setlist

The set is made of original compositions and arrangements by Alex Terrier.

Basic Requirements

Calendar