Jérôme Descamps

Un éphémère

Jérôme Descamps — trombone, cello, xylorimba

Also on Pandora, YouTube Music, Google Music Store, iHeartRadio and Tidal.

A solo album, with Jérôme Descamps playing every instrument. Descamps performs with free jazz and contemporary music ensembles and was a member of A.R.F.I. in Lyon. Today he is professor of trombone in Tahiti, French Polynesia.

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.

Franpi Barriaux, Citizen Jazz, France

Catalogue number: AV 005DL
Released: 27 October, 2023
Format: Digital
Duration: 17 minutes

◉ ALBUM NOTES BY THE COMPOSER

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.

— Jérôme Descamps

◉ INTERVIEW with JÉRÔME DESCAMPS

Translated from French

How did this album come into being?

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.

Could you tell us about a place in the world that substantially affected your work?

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.

What does a perfect day look like to you?

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.

◉ CREDITS

Trombone, cello and xylorimba by Jérôme Descamps

Recorded and mixed by Oscar Descamps

Mastered by Jérôme Nîm Trachet

Cover photo: Gaston Descamps

Album cover design by Sean Waple

Executive Producer: Peter Vukmirovic Stevens

Dedicated to Philippe Lorthios, and to my students.