Since its founding in 1986 under the direction of François Jeanneau, the Orchestre National de Jazz (ONJ) has been a cornerstone of French and European jazz. Over nearly four decades of existence, its twelve artistic directors have each typically served four-year terms, the orchestra has recorded at least 33 albums, and more than 200 guest musicians have taken part in its ever-evolving projects. Most recently, under former director Frédéric Maurin, the ONJ released Ex Machina (2023), created in collaboration with Steve Lehman, which was prominent in several lists as one of the best albums of 2023.
Jazzdor Strasbourg Berlin 2025 saw the ONJ’s very first public concert under its new artistic director, Sylvaine Hélary, who will lead the orchestra through to 2028. A flautist and arranger, Hélary presented the world premiere of With Carla, a suite built around both iconic and lesser-known compositions by Carla Bley. The majority of the arrangements were by saxophonist Rémi Sciuto, with one contribution from Hélary herself.
The instrumentation for this project departed significantly from Bley’s own ensembles, featuring a large 17-piece lineup that included both string quartet and vibraphone. This blend of existing repertoire with new arrangements and expanded instrumentation formed the conceptual heart of the project, which will tour again in Tours, Paris, Dijon, and Nantes… this autumn.
The setlist featured compositions such as Musique Mécanique, Utviklingsang, Ups and Downs, and Wrong Key Donkey – all rendered with great respect for the original material while offering subtle reinterpretations. Technically, the musicians were flawless. Solos were concise, always serving the musical arc of the performance, rather than providing mere displays of virtuosity. The overarching objective was to deliver a fully immersive big band sound – something increasingly rare in contemporary jazz.
Among the standout contributions were Fanny Meteier, stepping into Bob Stewart’s formidable tuba role with total assurance, trombonist Jessica Simon, and Rémi Sciuto himself, who seemed in particularly inspired form throughout the concert.
The evening closed – as was inevitable and necessary – with Very Very Simple, the signature tune of the Carla Bley Big Band during the 1980s. Guillaume Roy delivered a witty, blues-inflected vocal that brought both the performance and the audience together in a spirited finale, perfectly sealing a very well executed concert.
Photo credit Ulla Binder/Jazzdor
This first concert by the ONJ under the leadership of its first female artistic director in nearly four decades, augurs well for the orchestra’s future in general, and for its 40th anniversary celebrations in 2026 in particular. All that remains is eagerly to anticipate the orchestra’s next release.
MUSICIANS OF THE ONJ ONSTAGE IN BERLIN
Sylvaine Hélary flutes/
Rémi Sciuto saxes/ flute/clarinet
Léa Ciechelski saxes /flute
Hugues Mayot tenor saxophone, clarinets
Sylvain Bardiau trumpet
Quentin Ghomari trumpet
Jessica Simon trombone
Mathilde Fèvre french horn
Fanny Meteier tuba
Anne Le Pape violin
Amaryllis Billet violin
Guillaume Roy viola, voice
Juliette Serrad cello, voice
Antonin Rayon piano, Hammond organ
Illya Amar vibraphone, percussion
Sébastien Boisseau bass
Franck Vaillant drums
With Carla – Arrangements by Rémi Sciuto and Sylvaine Hélary
