SAMY THIÉBAULT

Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Samy Thiébault has forged a unique path in which intellectual rigour and musical exploration go hand in hand. Trained at the Bordeaux Conservatoire and subsequently at the Paris Conservatoire (CNSM), he studied philosophy at the Sorbonne alongside his musical studies, laying the foundations very early on for an artist who is both rigorous and deeply passionate.

From his recording debut with Blues for Nel in 2004, he established a personal voice that has continued to evolve. Album after album, Thiébault has built a coherent body of work, nourished by jazz, world music and an insatiable curiosity.

His music is characterised by a fruitful tension between tradition and exploration. Influenced by the spirit of John Coltrane, he has developed a musical language that is both spiritual and open, blending Caribbean, Indian and classical influences.

Over the years, his career has taken on an international dimension: prestigious venues, numerous collaborations (ranging from jazz to film), symphonic projects… Each step seems to broaden the scope of his expression even further. Albums such as Symphonic Tales and Awé! bear witness to this desire to transcend conventional formats, even to the point of creating a dialogue between the symphony orchestra and contemporary jazz.

In September 2026, with The Weather Acoustic, he revisits Weather Report’s iconic compositions in an intimate, entirely acoustic setting, bringing together variations, extrapolations and reflections devised by Samy Thiébault. The saxophonist reveals a new side to his artistry, alongside pianist Émilie Aridon-Kociołek, for whom he composed bespoke pieces during lengthy writing sessions. Against this backdrop, the pianist provides Samy Thiébault with a playground that takes him into uncharted territory. Supported by producer Daniel Yvinec, the two artists let us savour the joy of their collaboration and take us on a journey where the familiar constantly rubs shoulders with the unknown.

Acclaimed by critics and praised for the intensity of his playing, a blend of trance, lyricism and commitment, Samy Thiébault has established himself as one of the leading voices in French jazz. An artist in constant motion, whose music, deeply rooted yet resolutely open invites listeners on a journey as much as it does to introspection.