Pierre-Antoine Savoyat and Le Monde Merveilleux de Pépito present their latest album, Thousand Shades of a Clown, released on 23 January 2026 by Challenge Records.

Built around the evocative figure of the clown, the album explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and resilience through a refined and contemporary jazz language. Rather than theatrical excess, the music focuses on nuance — subtle shifts of tone, controlled tension, and emotional clarity.

Savoyat’s trumpet acts as the album’s narrative core, moving between introspective lyricism and understated intensity. The ensemble — Simon Groppe (piano), Fil Caporali (double bass), and Oscar Georges (drums) — demonstrates a finely balanced interplay shaped by precision and attentiveness. The ensemble is further enriched by an outstanding group of guest artists — Alexandra Grimal (saxophone), Lucia Pires (flute), and Lynn Cassiers (voice) — whose contributions expand the sonic spectrum and bring additional depth and textural contrast to the album.

Thousand Shades of a Clown stands as a carefully constructed recording that privileges atmosphere, space, and emotional focus — a release that further establishes Savoyat’s distinct artistic voice within today’s European jazz scene.

Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia and Turkish saxophonist Tamer Temel present Prayers for Palestine, an evocative album born from their collaborative works during the 2024–2025 Gümüşlük Music Festival artist residency. This album is a musical lament, reflecting on the Gaza genocide and the decades-long tragedy witnessed in Palestine, weaving emotional intensity with refined artistry.

But it does not stop there. The album also addresses the preceding and subsequent dramas that have profoundly shaped the region, spanning from Aleppo to Kurdistan, fearlessly navigating the complex history of these lands. Another remarkable aspect is the musical proficiency and nuanced, highly refined aesthetic approach from which the album derives its expressive power. Despite the weight of its themes, the music ultimately transforms into a prayer of hope, offering both reflection and solace.

The project was realized in collaboration with PÜR Recording Studio, where Arın Baykurt handled recording, mixing, and mastering, supported by assistant engineers M. Argon Bingöl and Baran Ünal. The album’s cover features photography by Caterina di Perri and design by Elçin Açıkbaş.

Legendary saxophonist Akira Sakata returns with Hyperentasis, out now on Defkaz Records! This double LP and digital release captures two electrifying live performances in Thessaloniki, featuring a three-drummer lineup: Aleksandar Škorić, Paul Nilssen-Love, and Tatsuhisa Yamamoto.

Joining Sakata are Giovanni Di Domenico on piano, Giotis Damianidis on electric guitar, and Petros Damianidis on double bass—an ensemble of improvisers at the peak of their powers. The result is 90 minutes of intense, unpredictable free jazz, full of energy, collaboration, and radical improvisation.

Released on June 13, 2025, “Les Moutons Noirs” brings together Pierre-Antoine Savoyat and Simon Groppe in a duo that thrives on improvisation. They navigate moments of stillness and intensity, textures and silences, crafting a listening experience that is both precise and adventurous.

Drawing on influences such as Olivier Messiaen, Max Roach, Axel Dörner, John Cage, Erik Satie, Duke Ellington, and Pierre Boulez, the album strikes a balance between formal rigor and instinctive play, showcasing the depth of musical interaction and thought between the two performers.