Philippe Duchemin is a jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He began studying piano and classical music at the age of nine. At fifteen, he decided to turn toward a more dynamic genre: jazz. For eight years, he worked on the music of his idols—Fats Waller, Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, and others.

Jazz Pianist · Composer · Arranger

Born in Toulouse in 1957, Philippe Duchemin began studying classical piano at the age of nine. At fifteen, he decided to devote himself to jazz, drawn to a music he discovered through the great pianists of jazz history.

Self-taught, he spent several years developing his understanding of the language and repertoire of his main influences: Fats Waller, Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson. This personal journey gradually shaped a style combining pianistic virtuosity, swing, musicality and a strong sense of melody.

An International Career

At the age of 23, Philippe Duchemin began performing internationally. He regularly appeared in major Paris jazz clubs and played with numerous ensembles.

He notably joined drummer Kenny Clarke in the group Jazz en Liberté, before becoming the pianist of the Franco-Spanish ensemble Paris Barcelona

He also performed with trombonist François Guin and vibraphonist Dany Doriz and served for three years as musical director of American singer Spanky Wilson

Throughout his career, he has shared the stage with many major names in jazz, including Lionel Hampton, Ray Brown, Scott Hamilton, Duffy Jackson, Red Holloway, Alvin Queen, Joe Newman, Benny Powell, Irvin Stokes, Deborah Brown, Marcel Azzola, Chuck Green and Bob Wilber.

These encounters have played an essential role in his artistic journey and have contributed to a vision of jazz rooted in swing, listening and the transmission of musical traditions.

Oscar Peterson - A Major Influence

Philippe Duchemin's musical world has been deeply influenced by Oscar Peterson whose technique, swing and ability to combine virtuosity with emotion have inspired him since the beginning of his career.

This influence extends beyond performance. It also plays an important role in his work as a composer and in his repertoire.

His career includes several tributes to the Canadian pianist, as well as compositions that create bridges between jazz and classical music.

Oscar Peterson himself took notice of his work and said of one of his recordings:
“I very much enjoy this French pianist.”

Pianist, Composer & Arranger

Over the years, Philippe Duchemin has developed an increasingly important body of work as a composer and arranger.

His writing draws equally from jazz and classical music. Bach, Chopin, Monty Alexander, Erroll Garner and Oscar Peterson can all be found at the heart of his musical projects.

His desire to bring different musical worlds together is particularly evident in his creations for jazz trio and classical ensembles.

His compositions include Take Bach and Ballade en Pologne, as well as numerous original pieces written for his various ensembles.

Philippe Duchemin Trio

The piano, double bass and drums trio is one of the central formations of his career.

Through this format, Philippe Duchemin develops a musical language where his main influences meet: traditional jazz, swing, modern piano and classical music.

His various albums under his own name reflect this evolution, combining original compositions, jazz standards and tributes to the musicians who have shaped his musical journey.

Between Jazz and Classical Music

The meeting point between jazz and classical music now occupies an important place in Philippe Duchemin's creative work.

His projects combine composition, improvisation and arranging, with the aim of bringing together two musical worlds that he sees as complementary.

This approach can be heard particularly in his works for trio and string quartet, as well as in his arranging and composition projects.

Today

As a pianist, composer and arranger, Philippe Duchemin continues his artistic career through concerts, composition, writing and teaching.

His work remains guided by the same idea: keeping jazz alive while giving an essential place to composition and to the dialogue between different musical worlds.

Sheet Music & Published Compositions

Published compositions and sheet music are available through 2 MC Editions

Four Main Artistic Projects

Philippe Duchemin Trio

Philippe Duchemin with the "Le Van brothers" -  piano, double bass and drums.

Swing & Strings

The meeting of jazz and classical music.

Philippe Duchemin with the "Le Van brothers" - piano, double bass and drums - together with a string quartet.

Dansez sur Nougaro

A tribute to Claude Nougaro

Philippe Duchemin Trio with the "Le Van brothers", singer Christophe Davot, and the Cénoman String Ensemble, conducted by violinist  Arnaud Arguergaray.

Nougaro Symphonique

A tribute to Claude Nougaro

Philippe Duchemin Trio with the "Le Van brothers", singer Christophe Davot and a symphony orchestra conducted by Yves Bouillier

Philippe Duchemin also regularly performs with the young trumpet prodigy Lucienne Renaudin Vary

Diplomas & Distinctions

Holder of the French State Diploma (DE) in Jazz

1984/1994 - Director of the Jazz Department at the Centre Jacques Prévert in Le Mans.

2011 - First Prize at the International Jazz Competition of Montauban with his trio.

2015  - Ambassador of the city of Pléneuf-Val-André

Festival Patron of two jazz festivals: "Jazz en Mars" in Tarnos, Landes, and "Jazz à l'Amirauté" in Pléneuf-Val-André, Côtes-d'Armor