Grand Pianoramax can be considered a "supergroup" which balances three strong musical personalities, each possessing outstanding mastery of his craft: the acute lyricism of Leo Tardin's keyboards, the immediate intimacy of Black Cracker's wild poetry, and the powerful, razor-sharp and pugnacious drums of Dom Burkhalter. The virtues of this rare alloy illuminate each of their concerts, which led the trio to perform all around the globe. Indeed, Grand Pianoramax went on a 10-city tour across the USA and performed at major festivals such as the Tokyo Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, SXSW, CMJ Music Marathon in New York, Akbank Jazz Festival in Istanbul, Jazz à Vienne and Paléo Nyon Festival to name a few.
With four albums and two vinyls under its belt released internationally, this supergroup founded by Geneva-based pianist Leo Tardin launches this spring their new EP, "Big Easy", which is also the fruit of their debut collaboration with Mental Groove Records.
Staying true to its instantly recognizable signature sound at the confluence of post-jazz, art rock and hip-hop, "Big Easy" is a new step in the ambitious artistic path of the trio. As opposed to its previous opus, it is characterized by a more DIY and less polished production, which better reflects the spontaneity of the trio in concert.
Recorded in Zürich at the studio / anti-atomic bunker of Dom Burkhalter, the four tracks take a "more laid-back, less dark, resolutely dancing and funky" approach says Leo Tardin. So is the warm and nonchalant groove of the opener "Big Easy", which gives its title to the EP, followed by the catchy repetitive pattern of "Lovely Day". As for the playful rhythms of "Lost and Found", they generate a vibrant good mood. "A Little More" closes the EP as an epic ballad torn between the virtuoso embellishments of the keyboard and the intense poetry of Black Cracker, whose words hit here with a rare emotion.