Grégoire Maret
Americana

The Swiss-born, New York-based harmonica player and GRAMMY winner, Grégoire Maret. His ACT debut, "Harp vs. Harp," a duo recording with harp virtuoso Edmar Castañeda and special guests Béla Fleck and Andrea Tierra, was released worldwide on June 14, 2019. Over the past decade, Grégoire Maret has evolved into a unique voice of his instrument within the wide spectrum of the modern jazz world. He has done nothing less than redefine the role of the harmonica in a variety of musical styles. The list of musical heavyweights he regularly collaborates with is impressive: Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Cassandra Wilson, and Marcus Miller are just some of his prominent artistic partners. As a studio and stage guest, Maret has enriched the music of other greats such as Prince, Sting, Elton John, Jimmy Scott, Dianne Reeves, Toots Thielemans, Richard Bona, Terri Lyne Carrington, Tito Puente, Kurt Elling, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Charlie Hunter, Youssn’Dour, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Pete Seeger, David Sanborn, and George Benson with his uniquely colorful playing.Cassandra Wilson says of him: "Wherever and whenever Grégoire Maret puts his instrument to his lips, he elevates all listeners to a higher plane with a sweet yet powerful intensity." Pat Metheny calls Maret "a unique musician who explores exciting new paths in jazz with the harmonica." From Marcus Miller's perspective, Maret "carries his instrument with skill, passion, and creativity into the 21st century," and Herbie Hancock simply calls him "one of the most creative musicians out there."