Louis Sclavis quintet India
Origin: France
With “India”, thirty-five years after his masterpiece “Chine”, the nomadic clarinetist continues his musical exploration, where jazz and traditional Asian sounds are perpetually reinvented.
Line-up
Sarah Murcia - ac.bass, Benjamin Moussay - piano, Christophe Lavergne - drums, Olivier Laisney - trumpet, Louis Sclavis - clarinet
Artists
About us
“After the “Characters on a wall” project, I wanted to create a new program with the same musicians, adding trumpeter Olivier Laisney. The sound of this orchestra enabled me to find themes in jazz, brass bands and street bands. I called this new opus INDIA, in reference to the title of the album recorded with my first band as leader, CHINE. This music is made up of melodies, dances and improvisations underpinned by stubborn pulsations and rhythms. I have distant memories of a theater on the docks of Calcutta, of a long train in the countryside, of a night at Kali temple, of a brass band during Ganesh festivals... I want to make you hear the sounds of a faraway place that is more dream than reality. Louis Sclavis
new album "India" in October 2025.
Gallery
Press
Louis Sclavis has consistently and lovingly brought back echoes of distant sounds in a spirit of travel unlike any other. Now he finds himself at the summit, buffeted by the wind. (...) This epic album builds in tension until it reaches a dazzling climax (‘Montée au K2’), the highest point in jazz today. Jazz Magazine (CHOC Jazz Magazine)
'India', the enchanting journey of Louis Sclavis A dreamlike musical adventure. Emblematic figure of French and European improvised music, the clarinetist, saxophonist and composer Louis Sclavis presents «India», his third album on YOLK. Recorded in quintet, this opus embarks the ear on an enchanting journey. A dreamlike and lyrical musical adventure... the evocation of a dreamed India from travel memories
As expected, clarinettist Louis Sclavis cast a spell over the audience. His Louis Sclavis Quintet India used “India” not as a literal reference but as an imaginative inspiration, in the same way Sclavis has long shaped the idea of “imaginary folklore” within jazz. The quintet shone in Leibnitz with atmospheric, improvisation-rich textures and striking solos from trumpeter Olivier Laisney, pianist Benjamin Moussay, and, of course, Sclavis himself. Jazzwise concert@ Leibnitz International Jazz Festival