There were only a few hundred meters between the cradle of Seb’ Chaumont in the old town and the stage of the Théâtre de Verdure, where he will perform for the first time this Wednesday at 7:30 PM as part of the Nice Jazz Festival program. Sébastien is a local guy, affectionately called a “d’aqui”!
When you know Sébastien, how can you separate him from his saxophone, which is to him what a racket is to Rafael Nadal or a paintbrush was to Matisse? Trained at the school of Gilbert “Bibi” Rovere, Sébastien Chaumont formed his band in 2010 with Olivier Slama on piano, Sébastien Lamine on double bass, and Max Miguel on drums. Since then, the Côte d’Azur scene has been savoring large doses of blues, soul, swing, and bebop under the guidance of the band’s leader and pianist, Olivier Slama.
It was at a good table on the terrace of his Old Nice, with a portion of socca, two pieces of pissaladière, and a nice chilled rosé, that Sébastien told us…
Nice Premium: Sébastien, the Nice Jazz Festival in your hometown and a stone’s throw from the old town. Happy?
Sébastien Chaumont: Not unhappy, anyway! Even if I remain a bit nostalgic for the beautiful years “at the Arenas” (but who isn’t?). However, the Théâtre de Verdure is a lovely stage that deserves beautiful events.
Well, to tell you the truth, what would really make me happy is real coverage and better representation of live music in Nice… But that’s another story!
NP: What will you prepare for us for tomorrow night?
SC: Gnocchi… Just kidding, it’s a real challenge for us to summarize in 45 minutes what we do all year in a “club.” We are going to play a selection of compositions by Olivier Slama (piano) and myself, with Max Miguel (drums) and Sébastien Lamine (double bass). You don’t change a winning team, right?
NP: We have a bit of the impression that you were born with a sax to your mouth. Did you fall into it when you were little or what?
SC: Tell that to my neighbors… they’ll be thrilled!
NP: You are steeped in Niçoise culture, is it important to you? For your music?
SC: Culture is important for everyone, it seems to me, in Nice as elsewhere. When you start putting people in reservations and their culture in museums, it’s not a good sign…
As for “my” music, it is rather influenced by everything that makes me want to dance, generally speaking.
NP: Seb’s dreams?
SC: Only one. Harmony… in everything!
NP: And finally, what would you like to say to those who are going to come see you and, above all, listen to you tomorrow?
SC: To wear a capèu (hat), because at 7:30 PM it still beats down on the promenade!
