GroOovematic, the unique cluster of excitement

　　The experience with GroOovematic @ Sappho(Oct 10, Taipei) and Marsalis(Oct 12, Kaohsiung) in Taiwan was definitely one of a kind. The Jazz trio lead by Cedric Hanriot at the keyboard with Bertrand Beruard(Bass) and Jean-Batiste Pinet(Drums) infused my Oct 10th with waves of stimulation. Right after the first encounter in Taipei, I immediately decided to attend their second concert in Marsalis in Kaohsiung. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I'd made in 2014! With better quality of sound and balance, I was thrilled to finally hear Cedric reciting the poems when everyone was playing. And once again, GroOovematic dazzled their audience with never ending exhilaration. 

　　I always love going to live performances. So many variables could alter all sorts of things into extra spices of amazement or total disasters. The collaboration between the three French musicians was so tightly put together and invincible. Jean-Batiste at the drums switching meters intensely with marvelous precision completely held my heartbeats. Whether it was electric or accoustic, Bertrand cruised effortlessly on the fingerboard with the ease and pleasure shown entirely from his presence. At the same time, he played the role as the bridge transmitting signals between the drums and the piano. It was not just about the sound anymore. I was able to taste their triumphant relationship as an ensemble. 

　　Cedric, the brain of the trio, created the program with his compositions. There's a distinguished voice throughout. Intense emotions of love, lust and loss were brilliantly juggled by the three. It was so tightly built up with exquisite controls of dynamics and fascinating ideas. There was really no chance to blink or to applaud before the release of the final note in any of his pieces. Just when I thought I could take a little breath, the next wave of climax had sneaked in. Unlike other more commercial sounding Jazz bands which commonly offered smooth melodies, Cedric painted with bold blocks of daring colors. When the persistent dissonance with all different grooves from the three finally merged and met on the same downbeat, GroOovematic transformed into an incredible lover who did no sweet talks at all and yet left their listeners mind blowing impacts. 

　　Aside from heavy description, there was also a sense of humor peaking out from time to time during their improvisation. It seemed that they could make everything possible! For now, there's no facebook page for GroOovematic Trio yet, but there's Hanriot's website providing its tour schedule. If they come near you, don't miss out! I'm very looking forward to enjoying them somewhere again in the future!