Arnaud Dolmen, beating drum – Libération

The Guadeloupean drummer is part of the young guard of West Indian musicians who are working to dodge exotic categorizations to become an essential figure in French jazz.

It revolves around freedom. The freedom to be and to no longer be. The lot, undoubtedly, of all individuals with “double consciousness”. Be ? A jazz drummer among those who make the French scene shine. No longer be? A West Indian musician who conquered the metropolis. Arnaud Dolmen evolved for a long time between two terrestrial surfaces which, due to an earthquake caused by his vigorous wand blows, ended up shattering to become one. Karukera, sound countrywhere this native of Bar-le-Duc went to live at the age of 4, and the club scenes of rue des Lombards, in Paris, where he experienced his first jazz excitements, now form only one and even territory. And in this territory, Arnaud Dolmen is having a blast. He beats the ka, a Guadeloupean drum, so much that he makes his drums tremble. And when the two unified surfaces sometimes still disintegrate, the drummer ardently strives to treat fractures.

There are still many of these West Indian musicians who are confined to the overseas counterpart of French jazz. How do we say it again? Yes, “Creole jazz”. Almost a pleonasm when you think about it. “I no longer think I am considered an artisan of what I would call “sunny” music. It is for my skills that I am called upon.” blurted the musician. For two years, his