Tatiana Eva-Marie is an inspired female vocalist singing in a jazz style. Her most notable work is with the Avalon Jazz Band, which she formed together with violinist Adrien Chevalier. She is a Swiss-born singer and actress who believes it is her mission to revive the legacy of jazz in the modern world.
Avalon Jazz Band & Tatiana Eva-Marie History: How It Started
Vintage jazz, and especially its swing renaissance, is something that modern concert venues lack. So Tatiana Eva-Marie and Adrien Chevalier decided to fill this almost empty niche.
This revival was appreciated by our modern society, and the Avalon Jazz Band started gathering full concert halls in New York and successfully touring around the world. They have shared the stage with renowned jazz musicians such as Stéphane Wrembel, Harry Connick Jr, and Norah Jones.
Tatiana Eva-Marie’s father was a professional musician. He did everything to make sure that his daughter received an excellent education. She studied at Theater Populaire Romand (Switzerland) and Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. In Paris, where she moved at the age of 16, the girl studied poetry at the Sorbonne University, participated in productions of the Theater du Rond Point and the Comedie Francaise, and even directed two theatrical plays for the Avignon Festival.
Having this experience, Tatiana Eva-Marie crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 2011 to fulfill her dream of conquering New York and the whole world. She formed the Avalon Jazz Band together with Adrien Chevalier, and then began her American career. The band’s debut took place in the famous Dizzy’s Club, New York, in 2016. After a successful debut in New York, the team went to Paris and was greeted with a standing ovation. Then the Avalon Jazz Band started a world tour where they played with jazz stars such as Norah Jones, Stéphane Wrembel, and Harry Connick Jr.
In 2018, the Wall Street Journal named the girl one of the best young female singers, a rising jazz star. The American magazine Vanity Fair put her in one list with such jazz singers as Cyrille Aimée, Jon Batiste, and Cécile McLorin Salvant.
Avalon Members
The composition of the Avalon Jazz Band changes from time to time. Over the years of performances, the band has changed three guitarists, three double bass players, and two accordionists. There were different reasons why musicians left the band, and we will not get into the details of the internal affairs of the Avalon Jazz Band. Today, only professionals who are passionate about the classic concept of French jazz perform music in this band.
Tatiana Eva-Marie: Vocals
She is the founder of the Avalon Jazz Band, the leader, the soul, and the velvet voice of the band. Tatiana Eva-Marie’s incredible voice captivates listeners with its soft tones that harmoniously combine with her tremendous energy.
Adrien Chevalier: Violin
Chevalier is the band’s co-founder. Adrien Chevalier was born in France and studied at the Avignon Conservatory. He played in the Grüss Circus orchestra, participated in the New York Hot Jazz Festival, and was part of World Music festivals.
Other Members
In addition to the band founders, various musicians of the highest professional level participate in the band’s projects:
- Duved Dunayevski is a talented composer and arranger. His work is a unique combination of late 20’s jazz and the classical music of the early 20th century. Tatiana Eva-Marie confesses that his musical talent is a source of endless inspiration to her.
- Oran Etkin: a world-class clarinetist and saxophonist. He studied with such great jazz and symphony musicians as George Garzone, Dave Liebman, Yusef Lateef, Charles Neidich, and Tom Martin.
At different periods of time different invited musicians were part of the Avalon Jazz Band:
- Vinny Raniolo, Agan Korani: guitar;
- Roberto Gervasi, Kate Dunphy: accordion;
- Stéphane Séva: keyboard;
- Julian Smith, Eduardo Belo, Leigh Barker: double bass.
As you see, the success of the Avalon Jazz Band testifies to their high professionalism.
Style and Influences
The musical style of this young group is based on hot Parisian jazz of the 1930s-1940s with technical bravado and virtuoso instrumental. The famous Hot Club de France is considered to be the birthplace of this style.
In those days, the French people were in awe of American music, and expressive jazz even became one of the forms of protest against the German occupation. That is how this style of music entered the country.
Another factor that influenced French jazz compositions at the time was the influx of refugees who fled the German invasion at the beginning of World War II and Russian emigrants who created a large aristocratic diaspora in France.
Today, French jazz is called “gypsy jazz” or “jazz manouche.” According to the respected opinion of Village Voice Tatiana Eva-Marie, proudly continued the traditions of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli and filled French jazz with a modern American interpretation. The band delights the audience with its bright uniqueness and cheerful style.
Discography
The jazz band does not spoil their fans with a lot of albums. But each compilation of compositions deserves the highest ratings from both ordinary listeners and music critics.
2019: Paris
Paris je t’aime is the album’s main single. In just 5 minutes of it, we learn a love story filled with deep feelings for this city. This super hit was viewed on YouTube by over 8 million people.
2019: Wintertime Dreams: A Parisian Christmas
The album includes familiar Christmas songs in a unique musical interpretation. With the combination of the French language and Tatiana’s melodic vocals, the favorite holiday hits sound even more enchanting.
2016: I Am Swing
The Je Suis Swing album was recorded in French and immerses us in the glamorous atmosphere of Paris. Que reste-t-il de nos amours is the best single of the album and has over 4 million views on YouTube.
2016: I Wish You Love
The album was recorded in French. The single Ménilmontant has over 6 million views on YouTube. The song was written in 1938 by Charles Trenet in honor of the famous neighborhood in Paris.
2012: My Gypsy Jazz Christmas
This album includes songs in English and French that you can sing over and over round the clock. It’s hard to choose the best single. Listen to Ah, dis! Ah, bonjour! and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and try to choose the one you like the most.
