Guillaume de Chassy

Born in Paris on December 26, 1964, Guillaume de Chassy is one of the most eclectic of jazz pianists, tackling both chanson and classical music. The son of a clarinettist, he has had classical training on the piano since the age of six, and studied at the Conservatoire. He discovered jazz at the age of nineteen, developed a passion for improvisation and for ten years formed a duo with flamenco singer Ana Yerno, before creating the jazz cantata Lunes in 2000, with the vocal ensemble Les Éléments conducted by Joël Suhubiette. Between his own albums Vue du Phare (2001) and Piano Solo (2007), inspired by classical composers, he recorded three duo albums with bassist Daniel Yvinec. The latest instalment, Songs from the Last Century (2009), completes the trilogy opened with Chansons Sous Les Bombes (2004) and Wonderful World (2005), a tribute to chanson. In 2012, the pianist returned to the trio formula on the album Silences, a blend of jazz and classical themes. The same is true of the following album, Traversées (2013), featuring a piano concerto of his own composition and pieces by Federico Mompou. In 2015, the album Shakespeare Songs, recorded with Christophe Marguet, Andy Sheppard and Delphine Lanson, celebrates the work of the English playwright between jazz and chanson. The pianist dedicated albums to the repertoires of Barbara in 2018 and Charles Trenet with L'Âme des Poètes, in 2024.