Francophonie takes the jazz route

The Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will host an evening of Gallic-seasoned jazz.

By BARRY DAVIS
This evening (8 p.m.) Belgium House on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will host an evening of Gallic-seasoned jazz courtesy of singer Sonya Pincon and pianist Philippe Souplet. The event is being organized by the Romain Gary Cultural center in Jerusalem as part of the worldwide 2010 Francophonie program of cultural activities.
Pincon takes an eclectic approach to jazz, and her discography and performing career to date takes in a range of influences and genres, including gospel, spirituals, soul and Jamaican elements, besides straightahead jazz. She and Souplet have been making sweet music together for four years and performed across the globe, from Chile to Japan and many points betwixt.
Given the show’s Francophonie program berth the duo’s repertoire willinclude both American standards and songs written or made famous byFrench musicians. The US part of the program features tried and testedpopular numbers, such as Gerswhin’s “Summertime” and Duke Ellington’s“Satin Doll” and “Caravan.”Meanwhile, another Ellington-associatednumber, “Lush Life,” written by longtime Ellington associate, pianist,composer and arranger Billy Strayhorn, will be performed with Frenchlyrics written by Double Six vocal group member Mimi Perrin.
Onthe strictly French side of this evening’s program, Pincon and pianistSouplet will present their own take of songs written or performed by aroster of feted singer-songwriters such as Claude Nougaro, SergeGainsbourg and Henri Salvador.