WPTC and Trio Brume make it to the finals of the national jazz competition at La Défense

IMEP is delighted to announce that two groups from the school have made it to the finals of the 49th annual Jazz à la Défense national competition, which will take place on June 20 on the plaza in front of La Seine Musicale.

Who Parked The Car

The band was formed in Paris in 2021 at IMEP, a school that is part of the network of the renowned Berklee College of Music. The young musicians, hailing from Brittany, the Île-de-France region, Provence, and Latin America (Honduras), have a background in jazz but are, above all, avid groove enthusiasts. Their debut album Mad Weather Good Friends (2022) helped them establish themselves within the new Parisian soul-jazz-funk scene, but it was with the album Broken Glass (2023) that they truly made their mark, receiving widespread acclaim from the press (FIP, TSF Jazz, Jazz Radio, Jazz News, France Bleu, Soul Bag, and others). With the EP Drafts (2024), they explored new sonic territories close to acid jazz, hip-hop, and electro. That same year, Who Parked The Car won the “ade In New York Jazz Competition,” judged by the legendary Mike Stern, Lenny White, and Randy Brecker. Shortly thereafter, they won the European Emerging Bands Contest and performed at the European Parliament in Strasbourg during the EYE 2025 event. They also received the UNAC Young Jazz Talent Grand Prize at Jammin’Juan 2025. Their next album is scheduled for release in September 2026.

Thomas Salvatore – Keyboards, vocals
Sebastián Muñoz – Saxophone
Félix Reneault – Saxophone
César Aouillé – Guitar
Ludovic Prieur – Bass
Malo Ropers -Drums

Trio Brūme

Formed in June 2023, the band consists of Ewen Grall on drums, Oscar Bineau on saxophones, and Robin Nitram on electric guitar. The three musicians met at the CRR in Paris while they were students.

The heart of this trio lies in a unique sonic chemistry, orchestrated by three soloists with complementary sensibilities. On drums, Ewen Grall provides a rhythm section that is both precise and organic, capable of supporting complex structures while infusing the band with raw energy. On electric guitar, Robin Nitram weaves layers of sound and striking melodies, using electricity to expand the band’s harmonic spectrum without ever straying from tradition. Finally, Oscar Bineau on saxophone provides the melodic thread. His playing, both lyrical and incisive, guides the improvisations with a mastery that ensures the band never loses its audience.

Their debut album, *Baignade interdite* was released in February 2026 on the Bordeaux-based label Mazeto Square. Recorded at La Buissonne Studio in April 2025, the album was produced by pianist Benjamin Moussay and was named “Revelation” by Jazz Magazine.