Ferdi: the saxophonist who takes the dust off jazz

Ferdinand Lemoine, aka Ferdi, is a rising star on the French jazz scene. With Take 01, his first solo album, he blends jazz and indie pop, redefining the codes of a genre sometimes considered elitist.

A breath of fresh air on the jazz scene

Ferdi, former collaborator of pianist Sofiane Pamart, unveiled Take 01 in November 2024, a ten-track album that reinterprets jazz with a contemporary twist. Inspired by ’70s harmonies and enriched by chorus effects and rumbling bass, his style evokes artists such as David Sandborn and the band Spyro Gyra. Ferdi modernizes jazz without betraying its essence, incorporating accessible elements that appeal to a wider audience.

His approach is not to revolutionize jazz, but to democratize it. By making the genre more accessible, he follows in the footsteps of musicians like Kamasi Washington and Terrace Martin, who collaborated with hip-hop icons before going solo.

Classical roots and a passion for jazz

Originally from Marchiennes, in the Hauts-de-France region, Ferdi is a pure product of the Conservatoire. He discovered jazz at the age of 15, influenced by his music-loving parents. His mother, an artist, and his father, a teacher, introduced him to works such as Stravinsky’s Firebird, before he fell under the spell of the world of jazz. Fascinated by legendary figures such as Charlie Parker and Ray Charles, he chose the saxophone as his instrument of choice.

A promising career

With a sold-out concert at the New Morning and a series of high-profile media appearances, Ferdi has brought a breath of fresh air to French jazz. His approach, combining respect for tradition and innovation, has already earned him a place among the artists to watch.

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