Sixun
Biography Sixun
Sixun
The group was formed in the autumn of 1984 during a jam session. The name of the band is composed of six and one and is therefore pronounced Ssies-öhn. This refers to the six members of the band, who come from all over the world and play together as one band. The basic line-up (Paco Séry (drums, percussion), Jean-Pierre Como (keyboard), Alain Debiossat (saxophone), Louis Winsberg (guitar) and Michel Alibo (bass) has remained unchanged over the years, but the percussionists have changed regularly. These musicians also have solo projects and bring their different musical specialities to the group.
Due to the composition with drums and percussion and the often percussive bass playing of Michel Alibo, the music generally sounds very rhythmic. The underlying patterns sometimes consist of complex polyrhythms. The influences of the musical backgrounds of the band members are clearly recognisable. These include African and Caribbean influences. They regularly incorporate syllabic vocals.
Their album Palabre is partly orchestrated and precisely worked out. The arrangements were made by Pierre Bertrand, co-director of the Paris Jazz Big Band. In their publicity, they describe themselves as the European version of Zawinul's Weather Report, to which they bear a striking resemblance, both in terms of instrumentation and certain musicians. On the current album, two accordions are still used very effectively with the saxophonist.
