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October 8, 2002

Pierre VAIANA

soprano, tenor saxophone - compositions


Born in Waterschei, Belgium, on October 14 1955 of Sicilian parents.
Started to plays the saxophone at age 15.
Focused on soprano sax for several years.

Studied music at the Liège conservatory, with Jacques PELZER, at the "Séminaire de Jazz".
Having obtained a scholarship from Long Island University of New York where he studied during 4 years (1986 - 1990) with Joe LOVANO and graduated as bachelor in Fine Arts.
During his stay in New York he played with a number of musicians, like Butch MORRIS, Mike FORMANEK and Tito PUENTE
Returned to Europe to record "El Dorado" his second album with the musicians of group TRIO BRAVO.

Upon return to Belgium he took part in the Kaai experience in Brussels, closely collaborating with AKA MOON.
Teams with Pierre VAN DORMAEL and founded his own group "UN POCO LOCO".
In 1992 he returned to New York and recorded with Salvatore BONAFEDE at the piano, Michael FORMANEK on contrabass and Jeff HIRSHFIELD on drums (French label CELP Musiques, distribution Harmonia Mundi 07193), selected as record of the month by Jazz in Time.

Same year he founded L'AME DES POETES, a trio with Pierre VAN DORMAEL or later Fabien DEGRYSE (guitar) and Jean-Louis RASSINFOSSE (bass), 3 albums, arranging great classics of French chanson into jazz, on Igloo Records.
Their latest album "l'Ame des Poetes Joue Brel" was awarded 4 stars in the magazine "Jazzman" of January '97, jazz supplement of Monde de la Musique, and was featured in the record selection of the daily Libération on January 25 '97.
The group went on a tour, West Africa, in spring '97 and appeared in Québec for the opening of the summer festival .

Composed and arranged for a quartet, horns and percussion, for the theater piece of the dancer Yvon BAYER "Pas de Nain, Pas de Vilain", presented 93/94 in Brussels, Avignon and Paris.

In the nineties, Pierre VAIANA lived a few years in Burkina Faso, where he taught and was involved in several groups. He brought some of his African bands to Europe, a.o. FOOFANGO (CD).

Prize of the SPES FOUNDATION in '98.


Taught at the musical academy of Amay and the Antwerp Jazz Studio, in jazz workshops of the Lundis d'Hortense as well as in workshops by the Académie Internationale de Wallonie in Libramont.
Headed a music school in Senegal and currently on mission in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, since 1995, on behalf of the APEFE (Association pour la Promotion de l'Enseignement et de la Formation à l'Etranger) of the Belgian French community, organizing workshops and concert with foreign artists

Concerts :


Shakra

Pierre VAIANA recorded a number of albums as leader, Also recorded for V.KH. Records the new albums of percussionist Chris JORIS, in trio with Cameron BROWN on bass.

1984 "Séquences" Collectif du Lion Igloo Igl Ol9
1985 "Trinacle" Igloo Igl 031
1989 "El Dorado" Igloo Igl 067
1989 "Trinacle" Amplitude JACD4008
1990 "Essentiels" Eric Legnini Igloo 080
1990 "A Lover's Question" Van Dormael - Linx - Baldwin Disques du Crépuscule TWI 928 2/Label Bleu LBLC 6607
1993 "Shakra" CELP 23
1993 "L'Ame des Poètes" Igloo Igl 097
1993"Bihogo" Chris Joris VKH
1995 "L'Été Indien" Igloo Igl 113
1997"L'Ame des Poètes joue Brel" Igloo Igl 124
1999"Foofango"Contre-Jour CJ 006
2000"Elle est à toi cette chanson" Igloo Igl 154
2001with Jean-Louis Rassinfosse"Crossworlds" Igloo Igl 156

l'AME DES POETES

E-Mail: amedespoetes@hotmail.com

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