Articles & Interviews
Jean Michel Jarre on the evolution of music technology
Even peoples who never listen to electronic music must know the name of Jean Michel Jarre, electronic musician who performed big size audio / visual shows around the world since the last 30 years… Well, even more.
The man is a synthesis lover, a sound hunter, a music technology guru !
Check the video Jean Michel Jarre recorded for Native Instruments and discover some of his favorites pieces of equipment all living peacefully in a studio that only a few can dream of…
THE LEGEND
Jean-Michel Jarre is a composer, performer, songwriter, and producer whose pioneering approach to electronic music and live performance has influenced a generation. After studying with Pierre Schaeffer, creator of musique concrete at the Groupe de Recherches Musicales (GRM), Jarre recorded the seminal 1976 album Oxygène in his makeshift home studio – the album sold 18 million copies internationally. Jarre’s 17 studio albums have totaled over 80 million sales, and he resides in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest concert attendance for a show in 1997.
THE PIONEER
“I started making electronic music at the GRM with Pierre Schaeffer and Pierre Henry as teachers. At that time I was using oscillators, tape recorders, and experimenting with sound. We were a bunch of crazy guys with odd instruments, but with a fresh approach. I had no idea at the time that I was opening doors to virgin territories – I was only creating what was in my mind.
I always had this organic approach to sound, mixing acoustic instruments, hardware and electronic processing. At the same time, I tried to continuously equip my studio with the latest tools, testing and adding new technologies. That way I could best explore all the concepts I had in mind. For my album Zoolook, I traveled around the globe to record samples of voices and sounds in a very traditional, acoustic way – but then used the Fairlight in the studio, which at that time (1984) was the state-of-the-art sampling machine.
This exploration and mixing of technologies has followed me throughout my whole career, from the first modular synth, to polyphonic synths, drum machines, digital keyboards, plug-ins… I’m now even using a few iPad apps. Exploring new technologies keeps my curiosity alive and inspires me to go further in what I do.”
More informations :
The Journey of Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre Selected Discography
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