The Orchestre National de Jazz was created in 1986 by the French Ministry of Culture as a strong political gesture of recognition for jazz and its ever-expanding musical output. This unique institution has seen a succession of 11 musical and artistic directors, welcomed nearly 200 soloists into its ranks, given concerts on every continent and produced 33 albums, not to mention invitations to numerous international artists. Throughout its history, the ONJ has played an important part in the institutional and cultural legitimization of jazz, offering a vast panorama of French creation.
At the head of the Orchestre National de Jazz since January 2019, guitarist and composer Frédéric Maurin is implementing a project of great openness, reflected in an active policy of commissions and collaborations with composers with singular aesthetics, associate artists, but also personalities from other fields of the performing arts. Three programs mark the beginning of his mandate: Dancing in Your Head(s), with arrangements by Fred Pallem, celebrates the music of saxophonist and composer of genius Ornette Coleman and artists from his galaxy; Rituels plunges us into a poetic and fascinating world through a collective work written by Ellinoa, Sylvaine Hélary, Leïla Martial, Grégoire Letouvet and Frédéric Maurin, enriched on stage by a video creation by director Mali Arun. Dracula, the first show for young audiences in the history of the ONJ, revisits the myth of the most famous of vampires, with the help of director Julie Bertin, actresses Estelle Meyer and Milena Csergo, lyricist Romain Maron and composer Grégoire Letouvet. A graphic book adapted from the show, produced in collaboration with illustrator Adèle Maury – winner of the Prix jeune talent 2020 at the Angoulême Festival – was published in October 2021 and was awarded the Grand prix jeunesse 2021 by the Académie Charles Cros, as well as the Grand prix jeunesse du livre audio 2022.
In 2022, the ONJ unveils its two new creations: Ex Machina, a work for orchestra and computer in real time, conceived with American saxophonist and composer Steve Lehman, in close collaboration with Ircam (premiered at Radio France’s 32nd Festival Présences); Frame by Frame, a tribute to some of the emblematic figures of 70s progressive rock, with arrangements by Airelle Besson, Sylvaine Hélary, Sarah Murcia and Frédéric Maurin.
Jeux, the final program of Frédéric Maurin’s tenure, to be presented in autumn 2024, brings together 7 soloists from the ONJ and 7 soloists from the Ensemble intercontemporain to perform original pieces combining jazz and contemporary music, composed by Sofia Avramidou, Andy Emler and Frédéric Maurin.
Each ONJ program encourages experimentation with forms and formats, thanks to a variable-geometry, intergenerational orchestra made up of some thirty musicians from France and abroad.
Alongside its creations, and in partnership with Radio France, the ONJ is also committed to rediscovering works from the repertoire and their composers. To mark the centenary of André Hodeir‘s birth, in 2021 the orchestra will revive his 1966 masterpiece, Anna Livia Plurabelle, and in spring 2024 will perform the music written by Martial Solal between 1988 and 1997 for his legendary Dodecaband.
Always in line with the orchestra’s programs, artistic and cultural mediation, as well as the promotion of the ONJ’s heritage, occupy an essential place. The Orchestre des Jeunes de l’ONJ – ONJ Youth Orchestra – was launched in 2019. This scheme brings together students from French and European music schools and conservatories, and former ONJ directors, to work on reinterpreting the orchestra’s repertoires, with the ambition of transmitting and promoting the incredible musical wealth produced over 36 years by this formation and its variations.
Today, the Orchestre National de Jazz is carrying out an ambitious project with broader public-interest missions, through the sharing of tools in the service of jazz and its diversity.