Joëlle Léandre (double bass)

One of the leading figures of contemporary European jazz. Several composers, including John Cage, Giacinto Scelsi and Steve Lacy, have written music especially for her.

French double bass player Joëlle Léandre is one of the leading figures of contemporary European jazz. Several composers, including John Cage, Giacinto Scelsi and Steve Lacy, have written music especially for her. She has performed live with some of jazz’s biggest names, such as Derek Bailey, Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, Fred Frith, John Zorn, etc. She has also composed scores for plays and dance performances herself. In her career of nearly 30 years, she has already made more than 150 recordings. She’s a member of the European Women's Improvising Group and the feminist improvisation trio Les Diaboliques. As Les domestiques( with Jon Rose) she made one of the weirdest records ever: a collection of domestic noises set to musical effect.