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Jérôme Descamps
Un éphémère – AV 005DL
“The album “Un éphémère” aims to capture every delicate sound. The work is patient and carefully crafted, with the bow of a string instrument extending the notes of a trombone generating a thick, layered sound.
The track “Défardé” is the most notable piece on the album. It is somewhat dark in tone yet elegant and poetic in its minimalist approach. After listening to this track, one will undoubtedly crave to hear more.”
Jérôme Descamps performs with free jazz and contemporary music ensembles and performed with A.R.F.I. in Lyon. Today, he is a professor of Trombone in Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Un éphémère is a musical and artistic landmark for me. It’s not for me to describe this album. But believe me, it’s “sincere” music. It’s like a bottle thrown into the sea from a tiny island in a vast ocean, open to new encounters, new listening, and new sharing.
I played all the instruments on the album. It may sound a little egocentric (of course it is)… but it’s a simple stage.
The solo performance is a surprisingly common stylistic exercise for freedom-loving trombonists: Paul Rutherford, Albert Mangelsdorff, Günter Christmann, Wolter Wierbos, George Lewis, Giancarlo Schiaffini, Christiane Bopp, …far be it from me to compare myself to these great musicians, but these are my influences.
I was also fortunate to benefit from Oscar Descamps’ superb listening skills for the mixing. As for mastering, I could count on the marvelous expertise of Jérôme Nîm Trachet. Last but not least, the icing on the cake is this cover: a gelatin silver photograph by Gaston Descamps.
This album is dedicated to my trombone teacher, Philippe Lorthios, and to my students.
A huge thank you in no particular order: Jacqueline Bruckert, Jean-Christophe Cheneval, Jean-Luc Cappozzo, Peter Orins, Christelle Sery, Nicolas Desmalines, Michel Arbatz, my colleagues and friends at the Conservatoire, Guillaume and Louisa du Cameleon, the Arpaviva team, and Christine…
Interview with Jérôme Descamps (translated from French)
Q. How did this album come into being?
A. Out of a desire, a need to (re)find myself musically. There was also an introspective need: emotional and artistic. Self-discovery, between mastery and letting go. Playing freely and letting the sound take over.
Q.Could you tell us about a place in the world that substantially affected your work?
A. I come from the North of France, where I spent my first 20 years. The skies there are usually gray, very gray… but many orchestras perform throughout the region. Amateur musicians of all ages rub shoulders with professional musicians, intermingling in a spirit of mentorship. And that’s what I carry with me every day when I open my instrument case: a demanding attitude and joy.
Q. What does a perfect day look like to you?
A. Well… it would be my daily life as it is: the smell of coffee, then swimming in the ocean. Getting good news from my children. Blowing my trombone, singing for babies (I play in a neonatal intensive care unit), immersing myself in a book, playing or listening to music, and sharing a good moment over a meal, a film, or something else… A day when I was able to work for myself but also for others.
Executive Producer: Peter Vukmirovic Stevens
Trombone/Cello/Xylorimba by Jérôme Descamps
Recorded and mixed by Oscar Descamps
Mastered by Jérôme Nîm Trachet
Album cover design by Sean Waple
Cover photo: Gaston Descamps
