Boulou Ferré

He is considered one of the greatest contemporary musicians of the manouche (gypsy jazz) tradition and has contributed to the genre through his knowledge of both jazz and classical music and his interest in the contrapuntal music of J.

• Name — Boulou Ferré • Birth Name — Jean-Jacques Ferret • Birthplace — Paris, France • Genre — Gypsy jazz, classical • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Guitar • Label — Barclay, SteepleChase • Associated Acts — Elios Ferré • Website — www.boulou-elios-ferre.com

Boulou Ferré was born in Paris and came from a family of musicians. His father, Matelo Ferret, and his uncle, Baro Ferret, played with Django Reinhardt in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. His brother, Elios Ferré, is also a guitarist. By the age of seven, he was playing solos by saxophonist Charlie Parker on guitar. When he was eight, he gave his first concert, and when he was twelve he recorded his debut album. In 1962 Ferré enrolled at the Conservatoire de Paris, taking classes in piano, classical guitar, and organ, the latter under Olivier Messiaen. Messian was formative in Ferré's approach to classical music, counterpoint, and J. S. Bach, whose music has influenced his approach to composition. After the Conservatore, he became an organist at a Paris cathedral and developed his style of jazz improvisation and composition. When he was 13, Ferré played with John Coltrane at the Jazz à Juan festival in Antibes. In 1966 he recorded the album Paris All-Stars with Michel Gaudry, Maurice Vander, and Eddy Louiss. In 1969 he gave a series of recitals at the Chat qui peche Jazz Club with saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Patrice Caratini, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. In the 1970s he recorded and played with Bob Reid, Chet Baker, Steve Lacy, Gunter Hampel, Kenny Clarke, Warne Marsh, Svend Asmussen, and Louis Vola. In 1974 Ferré formed the Corporation Gypsy Orchestra with Steve Potts, Christian Escoudé, and pianist Takashi Kako. The group recorded for SteepleChase in 1979. He formed Trio Gitan with Escoudé and Babik Reinhardt and in 1988 with Philippe Combelle. He formed a duo with his brother Elio in 1978 under the name Ferré instead of Ferret. On 10 April 2012, Boulou was made Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by Frédéric Mitterrand, French Minister of Culture. In 2015, Boulou Ferré, Elios Ferré and Christophe Astolfi recorded the album La Bande des trois (When jazz meets French song), released in September 2015 by Label Ouest (L'Autre distribution).

The authorities additionally record the headings Boulou Ferre, Jean-Jacques Ferret and Boulou & Elios Ferré. His recorded language was French. He was the child of Matelo Ferret. Other recorded relations include Pierre Ferret and Sarane Ferret.