Dominique Pifarély
Dominique Pifarély modernized French jazz violin, combining extraordinary technical skills with an inclusive idea of music-making. Born in Bègles in 1957, he began playing classical violin at age six and in 1977, received a First Prize Conservatory degree. As soon as he got out of the conservatory, bassist Didier Levallet invited him to join the Swing Strings System (Paris-Suite and Eurydice, Evidence, 1978) and play in a trio with drummer Gerard Marais (Eowyin, 1981). He was soon very in-demand as a straight jazz player and performed with organist Eddy Louiss (Multicolor Feeling, Nocturne), but was soon in some of the more adventurous groups in Europe, too, including Mike Westbrook's band (On Dukes' Birthday, hatART) and the Vienna Art Orchestra.
In 1985, Pifarély started to work with reedist Louis Sclavis and in 1992, they formed the Sclavis/Pifarély Acoustic Quartet, featuring guitarist Marc Ducret and bassist Bruno Chevillon, and recorded for ECM. Pifarély is also prominently featured in Sclavis' sextet and quintet, recording with both for ECM.
In 1988, he produced his first record as a leader, Insula Dulcamara (Nocturne). As a leader, Pifarély splits his time between his quintet -- including pianist François Couturier and guitarist Marc Ducret -- and a series of duo/trio meetings with musicians including Joachim Kühn, Daniel Humair, Vincent Courtois, Michel Godard, (The Fitting Room, Enja), Stefano Battaglia (Triplicity, Splasc(h)), Rabih Abou Khalil (Yara, Enja), and Portuguese violinist Carlos Zingaro (Icis, In Situ). In his mature style, the classical violin tradition and the swing lessons of Grappelli and Reinhardt combine with a contemporary European sonic exploration; his technical mastery and quick imagination allow him to move seamlessly between these worlds. Pifarély shows a distinct preference for the acoustic interaction of small groups, where his playing can be exhilarating.
© Francesco Martinelli /TiVo
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Discography
10 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Asian Fields Variations
Louis Sclavis, Dominique Pifarély, Vincent Courtois
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on 17 Mar 2017
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Suite : Anabasis
Contemporary Jazz - Released by Jazzdor Series on 20 Aug 2021
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Time Before And Time After (Live)
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on 28 Aug 2015
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Poros
Dominique Pifarély, François Couturier
Jazz - Released by ECM on 1 Feb 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Acoustic Quartet
Louis Sclavis, Dominique Pifarély
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on 1 Jan 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Flying Soul
Aki Takase La Planete, Louis Sclavis, Dominique Pifarély, Vincent Courtois
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on 15 Jan 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Triplicity
Stefano Battaglia, Paolino Dalla Porta, Dominique Pifarély
Jazz - Released by Dischi Della Quercia on 1 Nov 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Asian Fields Variations
Louis Sclavis, Dominique Pifarély, Vincent Courtois
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on 17 Mar 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Time Before And Time After (Live)
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on 28 Aug 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo