Johan Budi
The international jazz landscape continues to evolve through a dual focus on ancestral exploration and the preservation of historical traditions, as evidenced by the latest releases from London-based composer Terence Collie, the French septet Les Haricots Rouges, and the New York-based Bobby Sanabria Multiverse Big Band. These three distinct projects, spanning from the intimate fusion of strings and quartets to the high-octane energy of 26-piece big bands, offer a comprehensive look at how contemporary musicians are utilizing the jazz medium to document personal lineages and honor the pioneers of the genre. By blending regional influences—from the Seychelles to the streets of Paris and the South Bronx—these artists are reinforcing the global nature of jazz while providing listeners with deeply researched and technically proficient auditory experiences.
Terence Collie and the Sonic Mapping of Seychellois Lineage
Terence Collie, a prominent figure in the London jazz circuit, has released "DNA," a project that represents a significant milestone in his career as both a performer and a composer. Collie’s journey began as a self-taught pianist, reaching professional status by the age of 17 while performing in the vibrant hotel and nightclub scene of Jersey. His subsequent move to the UK mainland in the 1990s saw him collaborating with legendary figures such as Teddy Edwards and Georgie Fame, eventually leading to a prolific period of recording that includes the fusion-heavy "Prison Break" (2011) and more recent works like "Reminiscent" (2023) and "Elements" (2025).
With "DNA," Collie shifts his focus toward a "personally focused body of work" that explores his family’s heritage in the Seychelles. Recorded at the prestigious Real World Studios in Box, UK, in 2026, the album features a sophisticated blend of his jazz quartet—including Nick Lenner-Webster on bass, Cosimo Keita Cadore on percussion, and Ted Carrasco on drums—alongside the London String Trio. This instrumentation allows Collie to bridge the gap between contemporary jazz and the chamber-like textures of classical strings, a technique he previously refined in his 2025 release, "Elements."
Chronological and Geographical Inspiration
The compositions within "DNA" serve as a musical travelogue of Collie’s ancestry. The opening track, "Montrose To Mahé," serves as a direct reference to his great-grandfather’s migration from Scotland to the Seychelles. The music begins with a traditional Scottish jig, which then transitions into a melody that critics have noted bears a resemblance to the atmospheric qualities of 1960s British pop, specifically Ray Davies’ "Waterloo Sunset." This juxtaposition highlights the cultural synthesis inherent in Collie’s background.
The album continues to explore specific Seychellois locations:
- Beau Vallon: A tribute to the coastal region of Mahé where Collie’s maternal grandfather established a home.
- Harbour View: Named after his paternal grandparents’ guesthouse, this track integrates jazz and blues with a distinctive Creole groove.
- Tall Palm Trees: Inspired by the Coco de Mer, a prehistoric palm found exclusively on the island of Praslin.
- Silhouette and La Digue: Tracks named after the third-largest and most mysterious islands in the archipelago, respectively.
This thematic approach suggests a growing trend in modern jazz where artists move away from abstract improvisation toward narrative-driven "concept albums" that document the immigrant experience and the blending of disparate cultures.
Les Haricots Rouges: Six Decades of New Orleans Jazz in France
While Collie explores personal roots, the French septet Les Haricots Rouges (The Red Beans) is celebrating a different kind of heritage: the enduring legacy of New Orleans jazz. Their new album, "60 Ans, Amazing Grace!!", commemorates over 60 years of continuous performance, a feat rarely achieved in the volatile music industry. Formed in 1963 by a group of high school students in Paris, the band has transitioned from an initial octet to its current septet configuration, maintaining a consistent dedication to the "Dixieland" and New Orleans styles.
The band’s historical significance is underscored by their extensive performance record, which includes opening for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Louis Armstrong. Having sold over a million albums and performed thousands of concerts worldwide, Les Haricots Rouges represent a vital link between the European jazz scene and the American pioneers of the early 20th century. Original pianist Pierre Jean remains a cornerstone of the group, ensuring that the band’s core identity remains intact even as other members have changed over the decades.
Technical Mastery and Vocal Versatility
The recording, captured in Doix-lès-Fontaines in April 2025, showcases the band’s versatility, with five of the seven members contributing vocals. The tracklist is a mix of original compositions and reworked classics:
- Original Works: "Super Marché," "Le Court Bouillon," and "Le Kid Est Mort" demonstrate the band’s ability to compose within the traditional framework while adding a distinctly French lyrical flair.
- Adaptations: The album includes a French adaptation of "Ma Madeleine" and an English rendition of Lionel Hampton’s "I’m On My Way From You."
- Cross-Cultural Interweaving: The track "Plus Je T’Embrasse" utilizes the music from the 1926 song "The Gang That Sang ‘Heart Of My Heart’" by Ben Ryan. Notably, the band chose to write entirely new French lyrics that deviate from the English original, showcasing a creative independence that has defined their 63-year tenure.
The longevity of Les Haricots Rouges provides a case study in the sustainability of niche musical genres. By maintaining a high standard of musicianship and a joyful, accessible performance style, they have managed to survive the shifts from vinyl to digital, and from the swing era to the modern day.
Bobby Sanabria and the Preservation of the Afro-Cuban Template
In the United States, Bobby Sanabria and his 26-piece Multiverse Big Band are engaged in a similar mission of historical preservation, though with a much more aggressive and high-octane approach. Their latest release, "Arsenio And Beyond – Live At The Bronx Music Hall," is a tribute to Arsenio Rodriguez (1911-1970), the blind Cuban musician who revolutionized Latin music by inventing the mambo and son montuno rhythms.
Sanabria, a South Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent, has spent 28 years leading the Multiverse Big Band. His background, which includes work with Tito Puente and Mario Bauzá, positions him as a primary custodian of the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition. The decision to record the album live at the Bronx Music Hall is symbolic; it is the same neighborhood where Rodriguez lived after moving to New York, and it serves as a cultural epicenter for the Puerto Rican and Cuban communities.
The Legacy of Arsenio Rodriguez
Arsenio Rodriguez is often cited as the most important figure in the history of Afro-Cuban dance music. Despite being blind from the age of seven, he mastered the tres (a three-course Cuban guitar) and expanded the traditional conjunto ensemble by adding a piano and multiple trumpets. This expansion created the blueprint for what would eventually be marketed as "salsa" in the 1970s.
Sanabria’s album features seven compositions by Rodriguez, alongside works influenced by him, such as Tito Puente’s "Mambo Diablo." The arrangements are described as "fast-paced and frenetic," utilizing the full power of the 26-piece ensemble. This "high-octane" approach is intended to replicate the energy of the dance halls where this music was born. Analysts suggest that Sanabria’s work is essential for educating younger generations on the technical foundations of Latin jazz, ensuring that the contributions of innovators like Rodriguez are not lost to history.
Broader Implications for the Jazz Industry
The release of these three albums highlights several key trends in the contemporary jazz industry:
- The Rise of Independent Labels: These projects are supported by specialized labels such as Adhyâropa Records, Frémeaux & Associés, and Jazzheads. These organizations play a crucial role in funding and distributing music that may not fit the commercial mold of major labels but holds immense cultural and historical value.
- Global Identity as a Creative Catalyst: As seen in Terence Collie’s "DNA," jazz is increasingly being used as a tool for genealogical and geographical exploration. This suggests that the future of the genre may lie in its ability to incorporate specific regional folk traditions (like the Creole groove or Scottish jig) into a modern improvisational framework.
- Institutional Memory and Longevity: The 60-year career of Les Haricots Rouges and the 28-year history of the Multiverse Big Band demonstrate that "brand loyalty" exists within the jazz world. These ensembles serve as institutions that preserve specific playing styles and historical repertoires.
- Live Recording as a Vital Medium: Both Sanabria and Collie (recording in the high-fidelity environment of Real World Studios) emphasize the importance of capturing the "energy" of the performance. For Sanabria, the live audience at the Bronx Music Hall is an integral part of the recording, providing a feedback loop that drives the tempo and intensity of the music.
In conclusion, "DNA," "60 Ans, Amazing Grace!!," and "Arsenio And Beyond" represent more than just new music; they are historical documents. Whether tracing the migration of a single family from Scotland to the Seychelles or celebrating the 60-year journey of a French jazz band, these releases affirm that jazz remains a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural preservation, and technical innovation in the 21st century. As these artists look back at their lineages and the pioneers who came before them, they simultaneously chart a course for the future of global jazz.
