The Sound Orchestra Mathis Picard

• 1 FearLess (44,1 kHz) 09:12
• 2 A Bigger Picture Pt. I (Truth) 06:25
• 3 A Bigger Picture Pt. II (Hope) 01:43
• 4 JitterBug Waltz 10:39
• 5 Portrait of Lizzy 07:02
• 6 InnerChild 09:45
• 7 SunRise 08:16
• 8 Ho Azy 08:32
• 9 RoundPoint 07:17
• Total Runtime 01:08:51

Info for The Sound Orchestra

French-Malagasy pianist, composer, producer and bandleader MATHIS is excited to release his first EP with "MATHIS Sound Orchestra: World Unity". These recordings see the amalgam of traditional acoustic performance with innovative music technology. Thematically, World Unity makes a powerful (and timely) statement on the importance of human connection in a world that is ever-changing.

The five stunningly diverse tracks that make up World Unity were recorded by MATHIS alongside some of the most exciting young names in the industry, namely flutist Melanie Charles; trumpeters Giveton Gelin and Benny Benack III; alto saxophonists Anthony Orji and Patrick Bartley, tenor saxophonists Ruben Fox and Julian Lee, pianist Julius Rodriguez on Rhodes and synth, bassist Daniel Winshall, drummer Savannah Harris and percussionist Fernando Saci.

MATHIS (full name is Mathis Picard) notes: “Society constantly shifts. Cultures absorb, expand, disappear, and alter, generations come and go, and new technology replaces the old while simultaneously outpacing itself. The planet is also in a constant state of flux. Landmasses strain against each other, climates attempt survival, and the land itself becomes more extreme. Because of this, one might assume conflict is natural, that we have many differences from each other and from the planet itself.” The artist was spurred, by this false notion that such conflict is natural, to create these pieces which speak to the unity of the human experience, connecting styles from music cultures all over the world and striving to answer questions such as: What connects us? How do we create unity? What are the underlying factors that make our experiences on opposite sides of the planet very much the same?

The first track on World Unity, to be released as a single on April 7, is the jubilant “Glitter Eyes” which seeks to invoke joy in the listener. Picard espouses that joy is a force that connects all of humankind. The title refers to the glitter in people’s glistening eyes when they are in the throes of gleeful ecstasy. According to MATHIS, “The desire to gather, dance, worship, and celebrate are ancient rituals that connect humanity across time and space.” Mirroring this connectivity, trumpeter Giveton Gelin and saxophonist Ruben Fox display their stunning melodic invention on this piece. The two soloists cover a diverse array of influences and colors, but ultimately speak the same language and communicate in an elated manner; a perfect depiction of the jazz artform’s democratic, deeply-human underpinnings.

The EP releases continue with the title track “World Unity” (April 14th), a unification of acoustic and electronic forces, exploring MATHIS’ take on the “Harlem Stride” sound, as inspired by iconic pianist Thelonious Monk. This theme, adorned with a nature soundscape, leads way to a funk/R&B infused passage, a celebration of one of MATHIS’ largest influences: Earth, Wind & Fire. In this synthesis of modern and classic styles and instrumentation, drummer Savannah Harris switches between playing brushes on acoustic drums to electronic pads and kicks, bassist Daniel Winshall switches from acoustic double-bass to a heavily distorted electric bass sound and Picard employs the use of modern synthesizers and keyboards for a unique sonic blend. At the end of the piece, we hear MATHIS sing, on vocoder, “We need world unity.”

“Tranquility”, to be released April 21, was composed by master pianist Barry Harris and demonstrates Picard’s arranging prowess seen here in the performance of this unconventional quartet featuring Melanie Charles on the flute and FX, Joel Wendhardt on piano, Savannah Harris on brushes and MATHIS on synthesizers. On this track, MATHIS taps into another source of unity and empowerment, meditation and/or prayer. The next track “Rite of Passage”, to be released April 28th, honors moments of transition within a human’s life. MATHIS elucidates “these transitions which are universal and inescapable, provide a stage upon which the actor can either excel or retreat, but through this shared pain and its often miraculous outcome, we are able to relate to one another.” The track continues the album’s exploration of different sonic pallets and completes MATHIS musical offering to humankind, his cry for unity in a time of great duress.

The final track, to be released on May 5th, is titled “Pjanoo” and is a celebration of MATHIS’ musical roots. The artist was introduced to house/electronic music as a child in his native France and was particularly inspired by this song, which was written by producer Eric Prydz. Years later while studying in America, MATHIS began to explore the concept of playing techno sounds on the acoustic piano. In addition to his electronic influences, the track begins with a nod to classical pianist and composer Maurice Ravel whose music MATHIS studied while attending an English boarding school prior to his arrival in America. The track is also a love-letter to the piano stylings of another of MATHIS’ greatest inspirations, Fats Waller.

Mathis Picard, piano, bandleader
Taber Gable, keyboards, synthesizers
Daniel Winshall, bass
Parker McAllister, bass
Savannah Harris, drums
Bryan Carter, drums
Kofi Hunter, percussion
Ivan Llanes, percussion
Jordan Pettay, alto saxophone, flute
Zoe Obadia, alto saxophone
Stacey Dillard, tenor saxophone
Ruben Fox, tenor saxophone
Amber Lara, baritone saxophone
Jarien Jamanila, baritone saxophone
Anthony Orgi, tenor saxophone
Anthony Hervey, trumpet
Summer Camargo, trumpet
Giveton Gelin, trumpet
Mariel Bildsten, trombone
Rashaan Salaam, trombone

Mathis Picard
is a New York City–based pianist, composer and producer whose work bridges jazz, classical, and global influences shaped by his French and Malagasy heritage.

He has shared the stage with artists including Ron Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Veronica Swift, Lee Ritenour, Etienne Charles, Lillias White, and Kindness. Alongside these collaborations, Picard has developed a distinct voice as a bandleader and recording artist.

Mathis’ most recent studio album ‘Heat of the Moment’ has received 5* reviews from The Times among others and features Joel Ross, Melanie Charles, Braxton Cook, Giveton Gelin among others.

An ASCAP Next Generation of Songwriters recipient, member of the Montreux Jazz Foundation, and alumnus of The Juilliard School under the mentorship of Kenny Barron, Mathis began building international recognition early. At age 10, he was named a “rising star” by The Scotsman and became the youngest finalist at the Montreux Jazz Piano Competition.

Mathis leads The Sound Orchestra (formerly M.S.O), a large-scale ensemble that has performed at venues including NuBlu and Dizzy’s Club in New York City and Black Cat in San Francisco. The group’s debut EP, ‘World Unity’ (Outside In Music, 2020) introduced his genre-crossing compositional approach to a wider audience.

As a solo artist, Mathis released ‘Live at the Museum’ (2022), recorded before a live audience at the National Jazz Museum of Harlem. The album presents a program of original music shaped by his varied musical upbringing and formal classical foundation. During a 2022 U.S. solo tour, he recorded ‘Live at Blue Llama’, followed by the release of his fugue ‘Mysticism of Money in D Minor’ in partnership with NPR Live Sessions and WRTI 90.1 for International Jazz Day. That same year, he served as resident artist at Umbria Jazz Festival.

Mathis’ musical training began at age four in Pittsburgh and continued through the Pittsburgh Suzuki Academy, the Conservatoire of Fontainebleau, the Centre de Musique Didier Lockwood, and Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. While in the U.K., he composed ‘Akire’ for jazz trio and orchestra, commissioned by the Northern Chamber Orchestra, and was included in the North West Real Book for his composition “Why Don’t You See?”

This album contains no booklet.