Jean Chaumont

Exceptional Delight

–Downbeat Magazine ★★★★

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“Exquisite, accurate, and reflective”

–Couleurs Jazz

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"The profundity and sentiment of the performances will amaze you"

–Richard Kamins (Step Tempest)

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Jean Chaumont, a guitarist and composer of extraordinary profundity and intention, artistically and socially, has become a remarkable presence in the international jazz scene. Originally from France, he moved to Princeton, New Jersey in late 2014 and immediately started working on his debut album The Beauty of Differences (released on June 15, 2018), featuring world-class drummer Rudy Royston and eight-time Grammy-nominated vocalist Tierney Sutton.

With a close-miked Eastman hollow-body guitar (with understated amplification) as well as steel- and nylon-string acoustic guitars, Chaumont creates a remarkably clear and warm sound and infuses his compositions with ample lyricism, intricacy, and rhythmic thrust. On The Beauty of Differences, he shines as the leader of a core band with Royston, pianist Michael Bond, saxophonist Sam Sadigursky, and bassist Ike Sturm. Co-producing the album with Enoch Smith, Jr., renowned pianist and founder of the Misfitme music label, Chaumont dedicated the proceeds to the non-profit Villages In Partnership, with funds allocated to provide clean and accessible water for the locals of the Sakata region in Malawi, southeastern Africa.

Chaumont studied guitar with Serge Merlaud, Michel Perez, and most recently with the masterful Peter Bernstein. Under the guidance of Bernard Maury (a student of Nadia Boulanger), he was fascinated by the science of chords and modes. His interest in composition grew and led him to hone his skills with Pierre Bertrand and Sylvain Beuf. He has been an active member of the quintet Goud (featuring Josiah Woodson) and the duo Tema (with pianist Giuseppe de Gregorio), projects that were featured on the EPs Firstep and Glucose. Chaumont has also shared the stage with Dan Tepfer, Jon Irabagon, Thomas Marriott, Rogerio Boccato, Orlando Le Fleming, John Hadfield, Fiona Monbet, Armel Dupas, Karl Jannuska, and the Plumes Ensemble. He has performed at festivals and venues such as Jazz at Saint Germain des près, Earshot Within, Edmonds Jazz Festival, Charlie Jazz Festival, Jazz at Vannes, Pleyel, the Olympia, Tula's, Calluna, and the Stade de France.

Jean has also been commissioned for production, arrangements, compositions, and film scoring, including his full-length documentary “Le Bonheur en Suspens,” which was broadcast on French national television.