A Jazz Evening with Jacques Schwarz-Bart

Thursday, May 28, 2026 From 6:00 PM To 7:30 PM Add to Calendar 2026-05-28 18:00:00 2026-05-28 19:30:00 A Jazz Evening with Jacques Schwarz-Bart Join us to celebrate the launch of Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s powerful new trio project, Resistance. The French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York

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The French Library is proud to present an exceptional evening with Jacques Schwarz-Bart, one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz, celebrating the release of his new album, Resistance.

For this special Boston performance, Jacques Schwarz-Bart will be joined by Terri Lyne Carrington (drums), a multiple Grammy Award–winning artist, and Max Ridley (bass).

Together, they will bring to life Resistance, a deeply personal project that explores themes of history, memory, and transmission. Rooted in the Caribbean soul, the music weaves together the fiery rhythms of gwoka, the pulse of biguine, and bold original compositions, shaped by a rich musical heritage.

Born in Guadeloupe and based in Boston, Jacques Schwarz-Bart has developed a singular musical language at the crossroads of jazz, Caribbean traditions, and spirituality. A pioneer of gwoka jazz and voodoo jazz, and a longtime professor at Berklee College of Music, he has collaborated with major artists including Roy Hargrove, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu. He was recently recognized as Best Saxophone Player in France (2025).

This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience his work in an intimate setting, shaped by an exceptional trio blending jazz with French influences.

The evening will conclude with a wine reception and light refreshments.

Non-members

$32

Members

$25

Students

$15

About the new album Resistance

Resistance marks a powerful new chapter in Jacques Schwarz-Bart’s work. Conceived as a deeply personal response to the times we live in, the album explores themes of memory, transmission, and resilience.

Rooted in both history and personal lineage, Resistance draws on Schwarz-Bart’s family heritage—his father, André Schwarz-Bart, was a member of the French Resistance, while his mother, Simone Schwarz-Bart, is a major voice in Caribbean literature. Through this project, he transforms these legacies into a musical language that is both intimate and universal.

Stripped down to a trio format, the music opens a space for intensity, listening, and expression, where each musician plays a vital and expressive role.

Praise for Jacques Schwarz-Bart

“The Harlem Suite is the perfect continuation of a work that merges with life: militant, spiritual, now installed at the summit of the great creators of jazz and Caribbean music.”

— Le Monde

“Life-affirming joy and a vivacious ebullience of spirit. The music is colorful, danceable, aspirational, off the beaten path and as beautifully expressive as sound can be.”
— All About Jazz

“The musician is all about sincerity in music… always on the lookout for the universal.”
— Le Monde

“On the tenor saxophone, Brother Jacques has reached a sovereign maturity, where intensity and relaxation meet, halfway between Coltrane and Dexter Gordon.”
— Jazz Magazine

About the artists

Jacques Schwarz-Bart — tenor saxophone

Born in Guadeloupe and based in Boston, Jacques Schwarz-Bart is one of the leading voices in contemporary jazz. A pioneer of gwoka jazz and voodoo jazz, he has developed a singular musical language that bridges jazz, Afro-Caribbean traditions, and spirituality.

He has performed and recorded with major artists including Roy Hargrove, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, and Meshell Ndegeocello, and has been featured on over 150 albums. A longtime professor at Berklee College of Music, he was recently recognized as Best Saxophone Player in France (2025).

Terri Lyne Carrington — drums

A multiple Grammy Award–winning drummer, composer, and producer, Terri Lyne Carrington is one of the most influential figures in jazz today. Known for her powerful, nuanced playing and visionary projects, she has collaborated with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Esperanza Spalding. She is also a leading voice for equity and innovation in the music world.

Max Ridley — bass

Max Ridley is a rising voice on the jazz scene, known for his warm tone, rhythmic precision, and versatility. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, he has performed with leading artists across jazz and contemporary music, and brings a dynamic and grounded presence to the trio.

Presented with the support of the Mosaïque Fund

Cultural programs are at the core of the French Library’s mission to promote the vibrant growth of Francophone cultures and the French language in New England. From art exhibits, concerts, and film screenings to author talks and children’s workshops, we continually seek to welcome experts in various cultural fields to provide a window onto the diverse cultures of the Francophone world.

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