Contemporary Vocal Jazz
Supported by Initiative Musik gGmbH with project funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media
Photo: Kaan Opé
KONTAKT
Sophie Tassignon
Zur Innung 40
10247 Berlin
Tel: +49 163 877 48 96
E-mail: sophietassignon@gmail.com
www.sophietassignon.com
Photo: Katrin Andrzejewski
::: ALBUM KHYAL (W.E.R.F. Records) :::
Sophie Tassignon: voice
Peter Meyer: guitar
Roland Fidezius: double bass
Klaus Kugel: drums
VIDEOS
:::
ABOUT KHYAL
Khyal’s debut album was released in October 2023 on WERF Records, featuring all tracks in Arabic. The album was inspired by my encounter with Syrian refugees in 2016. As I helped them establish themselves in Germany, the idea gradually took root within me to immerse myself—at least to some extent—in their world and culture by learning their languages. After two years, I realized that my Syrian friends had no access to jazz music. As an experiment, I decided to sing my songs in Arabic to see if they would enjoy the music. This led to two years of hard work, during which I learned to sing these eight pieces, rehearsed them with my quintet, and recorded them. Following the release, I received numerous glowing press reviews that recognized our work.
Our next album is inspired by the conflicts in the Middle East. With it, I aim 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” side by side, we find a path to human harmony.
Sophie Tassignon’s KHYAL – W.E.R.F. Records (Okt. 2023)
“[Tassignon] is, in the truest sense of the word, an artist who paves the way for new forms of human connection that have yet to be explored.”
– Andrea Baroni, Tracce di Jazz, November 7, 2023
“This is more than just a successful album; it is an absolute must for lovers of sophisticated music.”
– Jean-Claude Vantroyen, MAD, November 15, 2023
“A fascinating combination that is far removed from any ‘ethnic clichés’ and uniquely blends contemporary jazz with Arabic-influenced poetry. And not only that, she sings in Arabic, and with her strong and distinctive voice she masterfully navigates the nuances across a broad spectrum of melodies, conveying intense emotions through the interpreted poetic texts. Highly recommended.”
– Pierre Dulieu, Dragonjazz, October 27, 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, April 22, 2023
Photo: Axel Wemheuer