Untitled Document
YARON HERMAN TRIO
France
Yaron Herman – p
Simon Tailleu – b
Cedric Bec – dr
From Israel via the USA to France, this has been the winding path to the jazz heights for the pianist Yaron Herman. And no one can accuse him of choosing an easy or predictable trail. However, if you listen to his recordings and read his biography, you will find justification for everything. The musician, who has not yet reached his 30’s, has already proved to be one of those who have sufficient talent and drive to reinvent jazz formats.
If life had taken another turn, Yaron would have been performing in Lithuania, at the sports’ hall rather than the concert hall. Born in Tel Aviv, Herman was considered to be a promising basketball player in his teens; however, his sports career was ruined by a knee injury. He sat down to play the piano for the first time at the age of 16—quite late as any music educationalists would tell you. However, having discovered a taste for music, Yaron soon exceeded his peers, and after three years had an opportunity to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in the US.
Herman was not grabbed by America and his life took a different direction after his first trip to Paris. The story goes that the young pianist came to Paris as a tourist, but several visits to the local jazz clubs were enough to spark a desire to stay in the French capital.
After getting acquainted with local jazz musicians, Herman was invited to jam with them. Many were impressed with the pianist’s skill, and with invitations to play together piling up he no longer even considered the possibility of returning to Israel. The first record on which he appeared was released in 2001 when he was twenty years of age. Since that time, Herman has played in more than 30 countries, earning the sympathies of jazz fans (particularly the young ones); he has also performed at the prestigious Champs Elysees Theatre, and created a new music improvisation theory, which he lectures on at the Sorbonne University.
Yaron’s talent for collaboration has enticed many performers to work with him. These include the guitarist Dominic Miller, who regularly plays with the singer Sting; the drummer Gerald Cleaver, who played at last year’s Vilnius Mama Jazz with Miroslav Vitous; and a guest at this year’s festival, Lars Danielsson.
In 2007, Yaron became the first jazz pianist allowed to play in the Emperor’s Palace—the Forbidden City—in Beijing. In the same year he released his debut album, as a leader of the trio, A Time For Everything. In 2008, Yaron won the important French music award Victoires du Jazz as the best young pianist. In autumn last year, one of his concerts was broadcast live in 39 countries on the music TV channel so liked by Lithuanian culture gourmets, Mezzo. This March, Herman’s trio released their second album, Muse.
Critics cite such musicians as jazz pianists Keith Jarrett and Brad Mehldau, the singer Bjork, and the classical composer Maurice Rave—a strange and interesting combination—as influences on Herman’s style. Joyful and lyrical, peaceful and risky; these are some of the contrasts displayed in Herman’s music. From original compositions to interpretations of the rock music of The Police and even the songs of the pop-diva Britney Spears—Yaron Herman demonstrates his attitude towards music—one full of freedom and glamour.
