Direction: Leïla Olivesi, Jean-François Baud & Thomas Dobler
Compositions & Arrangements: Leïla Olivesi
Line-up:
- Soline Malherbe – Vocals
- Léo Bortolotti – Alto Saxophone
- Mehdi Gervaix – Tenor Saxophone
- Dimitri Kuznetsov – Baritone Saxophone
- Loïc Faucher – Flute
- Jean-François Baud – Trumpet
- Thomas Dobler – Vibraphone
- Leïla Olivesi – Piano
- Joana Lazzarotto – Bass
- Solal Laval – Drums
Leïla Olivesi is a pianist, composer, and bandleader, recipient of the Django Reinhardt Prize from the Académie du Jazz and holder of a PhD in Musicology from the Sorbonne. Recently named Jazz Musician of the Year and Bandleader of the Year in JazzMag and JazzNews’s Best of Jazz, she has released seven albums and is currently performing her latest album, African Rhapsody, at festivals in France and abroad. The album has just received the French Jazz Album Award from the Académie du Jazz. Her octet brings together some of the finest talents of her generation, including Baptiste Herbin, Camille Bertault, and Manu Codjia. In high demand as a composer, she has received commissions from the International Philharmonic Choir (Rhapsody in Black) and the VOCO Choir (Le Tour du Monde en 80 Lunes, published by Éditions Momeludies in 2026).
Joining Leïla Olivesi, the HEMU Jazz Orchestra brings together students from HEMU under the artistic direction of Leïla Olivesi, Jean-François Baud, and Thomas Dobler. A true laboratory for creativity and artistic exchange, the ensemble gives young musicians the opportunity to work with leading artists and explore a wide range of musical styles.
The HEMU Jazz Orchestra’s rich instrumentation—trumpet, vibraphone, saxophones, flute, rhythm section, and guest lead vocals—offers the composer an opportunity to explore and bring new depth to her work through a collective, universal approach. Featuring arrangements of African Rhapsody created especially for the HEMU Jazz Orchestra, Leïla Olivesi invites audiences on a poetic musical journey across continents, from Corsica to New York, via the Sahara Desert.
With Leïla Olivesi, the HEMU Jazz Orchestra continues its commitment to fostering exceptional artistic encounters at the intersection of educational excellence and live musical creation.