Pieces of a Song: Chris McCarthy and Clotilde

With this duo, the interdisciplinary French artist Clotilde and the acclaimed American pianist and keyboardist Chris McCarthy deepen their New-York born collaboration.

Both inspired by the Beat Generation poets they create Pieces of a Song, a repertoire of rageous yet ecstatic original pieces in French and in English infused with the writings of the idiosyncratic Beat Generation poetess Diane di Prima. With this repertoire, they aim to explore identity crisis brought out of poverty, of rebellion, of being a woman, of standing on the outside of the culture, of making bold choices in an always more constraining world.

“ FREE them / FREE yourself / Help to FREE me / FREE us / DANCE ” - Diane di Prima - Revolutionary Letter 49

Pieces of a Song has been made possible through the Jazz & New Music, a program of FACE Foundation, in partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States.

Line up : Clotilde (vocal, flute) // Chris McCarthy (piano, prophet)

Clotilde is an international interdisciplinary French artist, artistic director, vocalist-flutist and filmmaker. Her last album A woman’s journey won 16 awards including 4 awards as “Best album”. Her second album In Extremis was named one the top 5 albums by “NPR Annual Jazz Critics Poll” and by The Sunday Times. As a bandleader she performs at renowned jazz venues and prestigious festivals around the world. Her recent creation XXY [ɛks/ɛks/wʌɪ], a multidisciplinary music and motion art movie has been screened in 30 international festivals and has received 5 awards and nominations.

"Clotide explores a rainbow of colors and vocal textures that can both surprise the listener and enhance the songs she sings. She paints the words with alto richness one moment and then, with childlike innocence, in a second soprano voice." Dee Dee McNeil - Musical Memoirs

“Clotilde has a voice akin to a mix of Betty Carter and Nina Simone.” George Harris - Jazz Weekly

"The impressive musicality of Clotilde Rullaud’s voice immerses us into a universe that goes from tenderness to screams.” Lionel Eskenazi - Jazz Magazine (France)

“Clotilde’s voice is silky and strong, heart warming or vindictive, when she sings revolution or despair." Isabelle Motrot - Causette (France)

HotHouseJazzMagazine described Chris McCarthy as “one of the most imaginative and impressive voices on the New York jazz scene.” Since arriving in New York, he has collaborated with established artists such as Jason Palmer and Lion Babe and with rising one like Sasha Berliner. McCarthy graduated with honours from the New England Conservatory in 2016. In 2017 he released his debut album Sonder, described by AllAboutJazz as “the promising and first release of many for this broad-minded and adventurous keyboardist.”

"Pianist and composer Chris McCarthy is proving to be one of the most imaginative and impressive forces on the New York jazz scene." Hot House Jazz Magazine.

“I believe he has a very bright future on the jazz piano scene” Fred Hersch

“Chris McCarthy is one of those players everyone wants to have in their band.” Jerry Bergonzi