Pianist Jean-Francois Groulx Slips Into a Swinging ‘Groove’

French Canadian pianist Jean-Francois Groulx has a following in his native Canada but is relatively unknown in the U.S. That could change with the release of this attractive set of trio performances with bassist Norman Lachapelle and drummer Pierre Tanguay. There are touches of pianist Jacky Terrasson’s offbeat, imaginative approach in Groulx’s tour through a set of mostly original works. And, like virtually every other new pianist on the scene, he has been influenced by Bill Evans.

Groulx, however, is a hard-swinging individualist too, and one whose solos have an ineffable lift to virtually every up-tempo line. And when he plays a ballad like “Invitation” (the only nonoriginal piece in the collection), he invests his phrasing with a touch that is both impressionistically floating and precisely rhythmic, an odd but compelling combination.

Despite the crowding of the current jazz touring calendar, Groulx needs some American exposure for the benefit of his career as well as for the opportunity it would provide for U.S. listeners to hear yet another new, gifted pianist from another country.

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