Simon moullier, vibes
Grammy Award® winner, vibraphonist, composer and arranger Simon Moullier has distinguished himself as one of the leading voices of his generation and has become recognized for his entirely new approach and sound on his instrument. Moullier performs at Walton Arts Center alongside Alex Claffy and Steven Pruitt on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7:30 pm.
Moullier grew up in the Northwest of France and is now based in New York City. Mentored by Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and more at the Thelonious Monk Institute, he has since been recognized for his work as an arranger on Terri Lyne Carrington’s Grammy Award-winning New Standards Vol. 1 and another Grammy recognition for his participation in Laufey’s Bewitched in 2023.
Earlier this year, he was awarded a Chamber Music America New Jazz Works grant in recognition of his work as a composer and his continued contributions in contemporary jazz. “As an improvisor,” critic Joshua Redman says, “Simon has that holy trinity: melody, feel and flow. And what a sound!”
As an active touring musician, Moullier has performed worldwide at many of the most respected jazz clubs and festivals, including the Village Vanguard, Blue Note Tokyo and Beijing, the Chiapas Marimba Festival and International Jazz Day in Cuba and Russia. He is also an educator and has given masterclasses around the world, teaching at institutions such as Berklee College of Music, the University of Southern California and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
Alex Claffy, Bass
Following the release of his debut album, Alexander Claffy joins Moullier on bass for the tour. From birth, Claffy was raised in a musical household (his father, a pianist and his mother, a vocalist) and had many of his earliest lessons on bandstands in the heart of Philadelphia. As a teenager, Claffy was fortunate enough to continue his study of the double bass with musicians including Ron carter, Dwayne Burno and Orin O’Brien.
Since moving to New York City in 2011, he has had the honor of working with many of his living heroes, including Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes, Harold Mabern and many more. In the past 3 years he has recorded for the Verve, HighNote, Positone, RopeADope and LaReserve record labels. Get a sneak peek of the bass player’s talents here: HOPE-Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Steven Pruitt, Drums
Rounding out the trio on drums is Steven Pruitt. With a career marked by exceptional talent and versatility, Pruitt brings a wealth of experience and artistry to the drums. Music became the central focus of his life at an early age when his dad bought him his first drum set. His musical endeavors have led him to share the stage and studio with some of the finest artists in the world including Bobby Sparks, Edie Gomez, Champian Fulton, Mike Moreno, Bruce Forman, Mark Lettieri and many more.
Pruitt attended the University of North Texas and studied under the tutelage of Ed Soph and began to play heavily in the Dallas/Fort Worth scene. He was an artist-in-residence at Utah State University and a professor of jazz drum set at the University of North Texas. Check out one of his drum solo sessions here: Steve Pruitt-Connections.