Emile Parisien

One of Europe's pre-eminent soprano saxophonists, Émile Parisien is known for his engaging modern creative jazz and post-bop. Well-versed in both jazz and classical, his sound fuses such influences as John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Wynton Marsalis with the work of composers like Hector Berlioz and Arnold Schoenberg. Based in Paris since the early 2000s, he gained attention with albums like 2006's Au Revoir Porc-Épic and 2012's Chien Guêpe. He garnered acclaim, winning the 2012 Prix Django Reinhardt, taking Artist of the Year at the Victoires du Jazz 2014, and winning a 2017 Echo Jazz award. With the ACT label, Parisien has explored a variety of settings, from duets with French accordionist Vincent Peirani to quintet albums like 2016's Sfumato with German pianist Joachim Kühn to 2022's Louise, featuring his sextet with trumpeter Theo Croker. He also worked with Malian kora master Ballaké Sissoko on the 2023 quartet record Les Égarés.