Following the Sun Alexis Valet

• 1 Ups and Downs 08:00
• 2 June 08:30
• 3 Dream of Integrity 03:49
• 4 Laika 06:36
• 5 Following the Sun 06:35
• 6 Cypher 05:10
• 7 Lekeitio 04:47
• 8 Myrtle 05:27
• Total Runtime 48:54

Info for Following the Sun

In the fall of 2022, French jazz vibraphonist Alexis Valet followed the sun, from east to west, and embarked on a trip to New York. After three months there playing, jamming and absorbing as much music as possible, he decided to record an album, “Following the Sun”, that encapsulates his experience in the Big Apple. Surrounded by a high-flying team, bringing together saxophonist Dayna Stephens, pianist Aaron Parks, double bassist Joe Martin and drummer Kush Abadey, the Frenchie did not flinch, drawing from his sporting past the resources to give the best of himself and demonstrate that he is among the new masters of his instrument. A metaphor for his adventure, “Following the Sun”, anchored in the heart of current jazz, sounds like a quest for this light which allows all living beings to grow and develop, and which we could otherwise call inspiration.

"Alexis Valet is very adept at interacting with a remarkable variety of rhythmic environments and is also a striking soloist who develops thematically coherent improvisations." (Wynton Marsalis)

Alexis Valet, vibraphone
Dayna Stephens, tenor saxophone
Aaron Parks, piano
Joe Martin, double bass
Kush Abadey, drums

Alexis Valet
Originally from Bordeaux, where he graduated in 2015, Alexis Valet is a very active vibraphonist on the European scene.

Very quickly a sideman in numerous projects (Francesco Ciniglio "Locomotiv", Xavier Belin "Pitakpi", Olga Amelchenko Quintet, etc...), he is releasing his first record in 2019 on the Déluge collective label. Highly praised by the critics (Révélation JazzMag), the music of his quintet is rooted in contemporary New York jazz. His album features guest appearances by leading figures on the French scene, including Magic Malik and Romain Pilon.

Alexis has appeared on a number of records, including Francesco Ciniglio's "Locomotiv Suite", Lieutenant Nicholson & Djeudjodja's "Aimez ces airs", Xavier Belin Quartet's "Pitakpi", Pierre Marcus's "Bulgarian Time" and Pierre Do Sameiro's "King of Panda, Sacrement". He has shared the stage with Joe Sanders, Rick Margitza, Michel Alibo, Ray Colom, Matt Chalk, Tony Tixier, Francesco Ciniglio and Hermon Mehari,

In 2020, he set up his trio with Luca Fattorini & Antoine Paganotti. It was with this line-up, enhanced by guests Ben Van Gelder & Bojan Z, that he recorded his second album in January 2021, released in November of the same year on the prestigious Jazz&People label. Jazzmag gives it four stars: "Explorers confirms that Alexis Valet is one of those to be reckoned with".

Alexis's playing is original and committed, and he doesn't hesitate to sacrifice notes to make the silence sound, thus bringing the rhythm to the fore. Carefully choosing the notes he plays, he also likes to let go and launch into lyrical flights of fancy. His highly embossed playing is ultimately unpredictable - for him systematism is the enemy of improvisation - and his solos "testify to a refined harmonic taste and remarkable maturity" (Jazz Magazine).

Booklet for Following the Sun