Country

:

Switzerland

Birth

:

May 23, 1938 in Geneva, Switzerland

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Daniel Humair is a renowned Swiss-French jazz drummer, composer, and painter. He was born on May 23, 1938, in Geneva, Switzerland. Humair grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a violinist. He started playing the drums at the age of 16 and quickly became interested in jazz music. Humair moved to Paris in 1955 to pursue his music career. He started playing with various jazz musicians, including Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, and Gerry Mulligan. In 1958, he joined the quintet of French pianist Martial Solal, which became one of the most influential jazz groups in Europe. The group toured extensively and recorded several albums, including "At Newport '63" and "The European Scene." In the 1960s, Humair became a sought-after drummer in the European jazz scene. He played with many notable musicians, including Jean-Luc Ponty, Michel Portal, and Eric Dolphy. He also formed his own groups, including the Daniel Humair Quartet and the Humair-Urtreger-Michelot Trio. Humair's drumming style is characterized by his use of complex rhythms and his ability to blend different genres of music. He is known for his innovative approach to jazz drumming, which incorporates elements of rock, funk, and classical music. In addition to his music career, Humair is also an accomplished painter. He began painting in the 1960s and has exhibited his work in galleries and museums around the world. His paintings often feature abstract shapes and bold colors, and he has been influenced by the work of artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Joan Miró. Humair has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1978, he was awarded the Grand Prix National de la Musique by the French Ministry of Culture. In 1992, he was awarded the Django Reinhardt Prize for his contributions to jazz music. He was also awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 2004, one of the highest honors in France. Humair continues to perform and record music to this day. He has released over 50 albums as a leader or co-leader and has appeared on countless others as a sideman. He has also collaborated with many other artists outside of the jazz world, including French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and American composer John Cage. One of Humair's most notable performances was his appearance at the 1967 Newport Jazz Festival. He performed with the Jean-Luc Ponty Quartet, which also included bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and pianist George Gruntz. The group's performance was well-received by the audience and helped to establish Humair as one of the top drummers in Europe. Another highlight of Humair's career was his collaboration with French pianist Michel Petrucciani. The two musicians first played together in the 1980s and went on to record several albums together, including "Power of Three" and "Au Théâtre des Champs-Elysées." Their partnership was characterized by their mutual respect and admiration for each other's musical abilities. In conclusion, Daniel Humair is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of jazz music. His innovative approach to drumming and his ability to blend different genres of music have made him one of the most sought-after drummers in Europe. His contributions to jazz music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.

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