Pascal Le Boeuf
Described as "sleek, new" and "hyper-fluent" by the New York Times, Pascal Le Boeuf is an American composer, pianist, and electronic artist whose works range from modern improvised music to cross-breeding classical with production-based technology. He is widely recognized for his polyrhythmic approach to chamber music and hybridization of disparate idioms.
Pascal’s latest project imaginist, is a full-length album collaboration between the JACK Quartet and the Le Boeuf Brothers Quintet (co-led by Remy Le Boeuf). The 9-piece hybridized chamber ensemble was praised by the New Yorker for "clearing their own path, mixing the solid swing of the jazz tradition with hip-hop, indie rock, and the complex techniques of classical modernism". Additional recent and upcoming projects include “Alpha” recorded by cellist Nick Photinos (Eighth Blackbird) on New Amsterdam Records, “GIRLS” recorded by the flute/piano duo RighteousGIRLS on New Focus Recordings, and “Empty Promise” an award-winning short film in collaboration with Four/Ten Media, Goldfeather and Robby Bowen.
As a keyboardist, Pascal has played as support for D’Angelo’s Black Messiah tour and Clean Bandit’s Rather Be tour with Australian pop artist Meg Mac. He actively tours with jazz vocalist Allan Harris, Le Boeuf Brothers, the 15-piece gospel-funk band Jesus On the Mainline, and his piano trio "Pascal's Triangle" featuring bassist Linda Oh, and drummer Justin Brown.
Pascal’s most recent awards include “Best Music Video” in the Atlanta ShortsFest, the 2017 Cortona Prize, the 2017 Lake George Music Festival Composition Composition, a 2016 FROMM Commission from Harvard University, the 2015 ASCAP Foundation Johnny Mandel Prize, and Independent Music Awards in "Jazz", "Eclectic" and "Electronica" categories. Pascal has also received commissions and grants from Lincoln Center, Chamber Music America, and New Music USA. He composed music for the 2008 Emmy Award-winning movie King Lines, and won first place in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Composition at Princeton University as a Naumburg Doctoral Fellow.
"[Le Boeuf's] performances and compositions display an impressive level of sophistication. Textured harmonies and shifting time signatures are handled with aplomb." (San Francisco Chronicle).
"Pianist Pascal Le Boeuf is a 21st century renaissance man. He's made inroads in the worlds of classical music, indie-rock, and jazz . . . here is at least as much Debussy evident in his compositional style as there is Bill Evans . . . listeners who prefer quality over flash will be amply rewarded." (The Rochester City Paper)
"Pascal Le Boeuf has a strong percussive element to his playing, which he combines with a keen sense of dynamics." (Downbeat Magazine)