The Open Program

Damien ROPARS

Bassist, Bass and double bass professor

American School of Modern Music, University of Versailles, Maurice Ravel Conservatory Paris.

Studied with Peter Giron, Marc Buronfosse (bass and double bass), François Fichu, Bernard Vidal, (guitar), Lionel Arnaud (composition), Philippe Goehrs (direction).

Bassist for Ben Vanhove Trio, Rain Dogs, MC Big Band, Quidams, Le Pélican Frisé, Kalim B, Naomad… Free improvisation with dancers. Festivals, concerts and tours. Compositions, arrangements, documentary and short film scores.  Former teacher at the American School of Modern Music.

Dominique ASSIÉ

Guitarist, Guitar professor

American School of Modern Music, CIM. Studies with Peter Giron, François Fichu, Bernard Vidal, Pierre Culaz. Philippe Beaudoin. Composer, arranger, and guitarist for Sébastien Charluet and Nicolas Stern. Studio Guitarist at Labo Orchestra Paris (Film Scores, TV commercials, Recordings). CDs “Sambela” with NZELA and “Les Anges ont des Ailes” by Nicolas Stern. Guitarist in several jazz combos, Concerts and tours in France and Switzerland.  Former teacher at the American School of Modern Music.

Sylvain BELLEGARDE

Vocalist, Voice professor

University of Montréal, Laval University, Québec.

Vocal and jazz studies with Michel Donato, Pierre Lessard, Gabriel Hamel, Madelaine Thérieault. Vocalist with The Voice Messengers. CD nominated for “Record of the Year” at the Victoires de la Musique. First Prize at “Jazz Academy”, selection “Coup de Coeur” at Jazz FIP. Concerts at jazz festivals throughout Europe and Canada.

Guillaume GROSSO

Saxophonist, Flutist

American School of Modern Music.

Composer and aranger, Zarbituric, Blasting Box, Abdul & The Gang. Album recording and tours in Europe, Asia and Africa with Balaphonics, Jeff Joseph and Grammacks, Zarbituric, Fizcus, The Joke, Anergy Afrobeat, Dele Sosimi and Tony Allen, Kiala (former musician with Fela Kuti), Balbazar,  ORA Jazz big band.

Tony SABA

Drummer
Drum schools: Daniel Pichon, France Percussion Studio. Special classes with Daniel Pichon, Steve Carbonara, Norbert Pfammatter, Christophe Marguet,… Studies at the American School of Modern Music. Internships: International Association of Schools of Jazz (IASJ 1992), Jazz Masters in Monaco (1992), Berklee International Network (BIN) at Berklee College of Music (2004). Concerts and recordings for: Bernard Vidal, François Fichu, Peter Giron, Phil Hilfiker, Alexandre Astier, Michael Cheret, Stéphane Guillaume, Rick Margitza, Tony Saba Trio… Jazz and variety tours, concerts, and recordings. Former teacher at the American School of Modern Music  (1998 – 2016).