EPK – Sophie Tassignon – KHYAL (EN)

Contemporary Vocal Jazz

Supported by Initiative Musik gGmbH with project funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media

“We can only succumb to it. We can only subscribe to it. It’s a unique and universal record. Magnificent.”
Jazzques, 18.12.2023

CONTACT DETAILS

Sophie Tassignon
Zur Innung 40
10247 Berlin
Tel: +49 163 877 48 96
E-mail: sophietassignon@gmail.com

::: ALBUM :::
W.E.R.F. Records, 2023

Sophie Tassignon: Voice
Peter Meyer: Guitar
Roland Fidezius: Bass
Klaus Kugel: Drums

VIDEOS

“[Tassignon] is an artist in the noblest sense of the word, one who points the way for other forms of human connection that have not yet been able to traverse.” Andrea Baroni, Tracce di Jazz, 7.11.2023

“This is more than just a successful album; it is an absolute must for connoisseurs of sophisticated music.” Jean-Claude Vantroyen, MAD, 15.11.2023

“A fascinating combination far away from any “ethno-clichés”, which uniquely combines contemporary jazz with Arabic-influenced poetry.
And not only does she sing in Arabic, with her strong and unique timbre, she masters the nuances so well within the wide range of the melodies that she conveys intense emotion through the poetic texts she interprets. Recommended.” Pierre Dulieu, Dragonjazz, 27.10.2023

“With the saxophone serving as a vessel for emotive melodies, the language of music transcends verbal barriers, resonating directly with our hearts and evoking profound emotions.” Thoralf Winkler, Jazz in der Kammer, 22.04.2023

Photo: Kaan Opé

THE ALBUM

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ABOUT THE BAND

Stemming from the Arabic word for “imagination“, KHYAL can be translated as the ‘memory of and longing for something long gone’.
Vocalist and composer Sophie Tassignon has released 11 albums on various labels and has toured Europe, North America and China. Her newest project KHYAL is a musical meeting of cultures. This music represents the tolerance and acceptance of peoples from around the world regardless of background or belief system, and offers a glimpse into the beauty and artistry that can arise through cross-cultural collaborations.
Tassignon is known for her unique timbre and her beautifully intricate compositions and arrangements, as have been heard in both her solo project and the chamber jazz quartet AZOLIA.
In 2017, due to her work with Syrian refugees in Berlin, Sophie Tassignon began learning the Arabic language and decided to seek a deeper understanding of Arabic culture. This work has in turn led to the development of her project, KHYAL, a project which blends Arabic poems with jazz traditions from Europe and North America.
KHYAL’S next album is inspired by the conflicts in the Middle East. “I want to make a statement for peace by setting Arabic and Hebrew poems to music. On the album, I sing these poems in both languages. By having both languages “sing” alongside each other, we find a path to human harmony.” Sophie Tassignon

PHOTOS

Photo: Joachim Westphal

About Me

SOPHIE TASSIGNON – BIOGRAPHY

Award-winning musician Sophie Tassignon, based in Berlin, is a versatile vocalist, pianist, and composer actively contributing to the European Jazz, Avant-Garde, and Electroacoustic communities. With a global presence, Sophie has toured extensively and boasts an impressive discography of 11 releases as a leader and co-leader across various esteemed record labels such as WERF Records, Clean Feed Records, A-jazz, Alone Blue Records, visionofsound, RareNoise Records, and Jazzwerkstatt.

In addition to her musical endeavors, Sophie has made notable contributions to modern theater and electronic performance, collaborating on productions with renowned Polish director Elzbieta Bednarska.

Sophie’s solo album Mysteries Unfold, released on RareNoise Records, showcases her signature layered compositional style intertwined with her masterful vocal technique. Described as “the most tantalizing that we have encountered in recent times” by Musica Jazz (Dec. 2020), the album stands as a testament to Sophie’s artistry and innovation.

Currently, Sophie is engaged in several exciting projects. She leads the chamber jazz quartet AZOLIA alongside songwriter and saxophonist Susanne Folk. Her modern jazz quintet, KHYAL, uniquely blends poetic Arabic lyrics with jazz traditions from Europe and North America, offering a distinctive musical experience. Additionally, Sophie collaborates with Kevin Patton (USA) in Louise et Vilmorin, a duet that navigates the realms of electroacoustic composition and popular music, often presenting a series of modern jazz compositions.

Furthermore, Sophie’s musical achievements extend to the international stage, where she has been honored with two gold medals from the Global Music Awards. One for her exceptional composition skills and another recognizing her outstanding contributions as a female vocalist, both showcased in her acclaimed album KHYAL.

TECH RIDER