Originally from Aÿ-en-Champagne, the Franco-Swiss saxophonist, Léon Phal, settled in Geneva for several years following his studies at the Haute École de Lausanne. There, he met his collaborators who now exemplify the European cream of a generation of thirty-somethings raised on the classics, cutting loose from them while brilliantly paying them tribute.

Through his mastery of the instrument, his incredible sense of melody and the delicacy of his compositions amplified by a powerful groove, in just a few years, Léon Phal has become one of the most exciting jazz musicians. His talent was discovered through “Canto Bello”, his first album (released in 2019) which did not go unnoticed at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations and Vienna Jazz festivals, where, in succession, he became prize-winner the same year. His “freshness” was noted by the press who called him a “Revelation” (Jazz Mag 2019), one of the “Top 5 saxophonists” (Jazz News 2021) and even a “favorite” (Le Monde, TSF Jazz, FIP, France Musique, Académie Charles Cros etc.). Léon Phal was even recently nominated in the final of the Victoires du Jazz 2022, following the release of his second opus, “Dust to Stars”, in April 2021.

Léon Phal will release his third album “Stress Killer” in 2023, which will see the group’s continued quest for modern and resolutely groovy jazz, still with significant freedom left for improvisations.