 by ANDREA MYERS
The Minnesota sur Seine festival is gearing up to for what may be its most diverse set of performances yet. What began as a jazz bridge between Minneapolis and Paris has now grown to include rock, blues and hip-hop—and according to organizers Jean Rochard and Sara Remke, they are excited to continue to push the limits of this French connection.
Rochard, a renowned Parisian record producer, first came to Minnesota almost 17 years ago, and it was at that time that he met local music lover Remke. Rochard
recognized the passion and camaraderie of Minneapolitan musicians, and a seed
was planted that there might one day be a musical bridge between the two distant
yet surprisingly similar cities. When he returned in 1999 to produce modern
European jazz saxophonist Michel Portal’s ode to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis,
Rochard found that audiences in France were responding warmly to the combination
of sounds from each city. For the album, Portal collaborated with American musicians
Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Tony Hymas of Jeff Beck fame as well as Sonny
Thompson and Michael Bland, and Minneapolis became the top-selling album in
France in 2001. The connection between the two music scenes was obvious, and
Rochard realized the great potential for future musical alliances.
 In
the years since its inception, the Minnesota sur Seine (a reference to the river
that flows through Paris) has continued to blossom, adding new venues and genres
each year. “The use of different venues helps the music to reach as many
audiences as possible,” explains sur Seine coordinator Rochard, “and
with the inclusion of rock, blues and hip-hop, there is a great chance that
people will see something unexpected.”
“The different venues play an important role,” agrees Remke. “Having
one show at a museum and another at a rock club allows the audiences to connect
to the music in different ways. This is not a pure jazz festival,” she
stresses, listing off events that range from a conference led by Persian drummer
Pablo Cueco to a photography exhibit by local artist Caroline Forbes.
Though many of the musicians’ names may look unfamiliar at first glance,
Remke and Rochard agree that the festival is a great way to enjoy new experiences
and see the European-American musical collaborations in action. “It’s
beyond the idea of safe form,” says Rochard. “It’s about all
of the things that can evolve when you take chances with the music.” He
says one of the highlights of the festival will take place next Thursday at
the Fine Line, at a show that will feature performances by musicians whom Rochard
refers to as the Masters of Improv. The aforementioned Tony Hymas will be joined
by Ursus Minor bandmates Jef Lee Johnson on guitar (Common, Eryka Badu, The
Roots), drummer Stokley Williams (Mint Condition) and revered saxophonist François
Corneloup. The show also features legendary rapper Umar Bin Hassan of Civil
Rights movement-era group Last Poets.
“We all belong to something else,” remarks Rochard, noting that
Umar Bin Hassan first paved the way for contemporary rap groups like Rhymesayers’
own Brother Ali, who will join Ursus Minor for their performance. The festival
pays homage to the history of music by joining old and new, European and American
together to create music that is constantly melding and evolving.
 Many
of the artists will play several different nights in several different configurations,
and Remke says the best way to jump into the festival and meet the participants
is to attend the opening night celebration. Taking place at the Minnesota Museum
of American Art, the evening will feature Twin Cities jazz staples Dean Magraw,
Jim Anton and JT Bates, as well as Corneloup and violinist Dominique Pifarély.
The MMAA will host the event on their patio, and will give participants and
attendees the chance to mingle as the festival gears up into its 10-day schedule
of events. Artists and musicians will also be in the audience when they aren’t
performing, so each event will provide a unique opportunity to gather with a
wide array of multicultural musicians and fans.
Both Remke and Rochard realize that the idea of Minnesota sur Seine may be hard
to understand for some because, “there is no prepackaged band that we
are trying to sell,” Remke says. “Rather, we are building a reputation
for superior music.” But what binds together the festival and the musicians,
whether they live in Paris, Morocco or Minneapolis is that “they are all
people who want to express something strongly,” says Rochard. “Music
is a strong language, and it’s all about the quality of expression.”
“If you like good music, don’t be afraid—go there and you
will get it,” he says. ||
For a full schedule of events and to learn more about Minnesota sur Seine,
go to surseine.com or call
651-292-9746.
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