Jacky Molard Quartet: Photo by Bryan Aaker Roma di Luna: Photo by Karen Moon “And your very flesh shall be a great poem.” Walt Whitman How can music carry words? How can words carry music? These are two of those beautiful mysteries that help life evolve in a way that allows us wondrous memories of art. The answer could simply be: reconciliation of body and soul. We see this in the art of Roma di Luna. Hearing the duo is one of those emotional shocks that challenges mind and body, both alerting us and bringing peace at once. The acoustic duo first came to notice when Alexei and Channy Moon Casselle were busking every week at the downtown Minneapolis farmers’ market, performing folk music deeply rooted in the tradition of the musicians recorded by Alan Lomax in the American South. Soon enough Roma di Luna (whose name might indicate some degree of intimacy between gypsies and the moon?) started to work on original songs and to perform more regularly. They have recorded an EP, “Face of my Friends” (2006) and a CD, “Find Your Way Home” (2007), both released independently. Their next recording will be released later this year. Violinist Jacky Molard has become a regular at Minnesota sur Seine. He first played the festival in 2005 with singer Erik Marchand, and returned in 2006 with his own quartet. The quartet has been his first experience as a bandleader; over the last two years it has become one of the leading groups in Celtic music. Today, when we say “Celtic,” we must think very openly about the music played by Molard and others. Molard has been one of the main instigators of the reshaping of Celtic music in France, willingly combining elements from several folk traditions—Irish, of course, but also Spanish and Central and Eastern European—and from jazz. In addition to playing with Marchand, Molard plays with Ogham, a band put together with his brothers; with Gwerz, one of the most innovative Breton folk bands; and as a duo with jazz violinist Dominique Pifarély). Molard’s compositions incorporate subtle touches from a variety of inspirations. In order to work in these diverse directions, the violinist has surrounded himself with musicians immersed in tradition, yet open to other horizons. For example, sax player Yanick Jory and accordionist Janick Martin both play traditional music as well as contemporary music, gypsy tunes, and jazz. Acoustic bassist Hélène Labarrière brings to Molard’s quartet her wide experience in jazz, from be-bop to free improvisation. The quartet’s first CD has been widely acclaimed as a masterpiece. A recent review by Guenaele Baron, Breizh.de on-line magazine states “Music regulated with the hundredth of second, Jacky Molard and Janick Martin play like only one man, and the four musicians give the impression to us to play together as they breathe, developing the complex melodies and the chorus improvised with the subjugating promptness and an apparent facility. Yannick Jory is not remiss about it with its accomplices, their guarantor notes with note with the saxophone. Swiftness and perfection of the sound, at the same time round and brilliance, characterize its play. The sound full and swing of the double bass of Helene Labarriere accompanies and supports the whole brilliantly.” Jacky Molard’s songs always feature catchy melodies and create immediate closeness with audiences. In this, perhaps he echoes deep common roots, just as Roma di Luna does. PRESENTED BY MINNESOTA SUR SEINE FESTIVAL Tickets: $17 advance, $23 at the door ON SALE NOW from Indie Tickets