Gabriel Genest Premieres His “She Let Go (Feat. Jeanne Laforest)” Live Studio Video

Improvisation may not be encouraged in mainstream music genres, but it is in jazz, and Gabriel Genest ensures he takes full advantage of that creative freedom. You can hear it in his brand new song “She Let Go,” which features Montreal area vocalist Jeanne Laforest. Today, Genest unveils a music video for the song, recorded live in the studio.

The beautiful collaboration features many talented jazz players, with Genest encouraging everyone to improvise and bring something new and original to the table. “She Let Go” is the lead track from Genest’s new album As It Is. Due for release on May 17th via ODD SOUND, the album release will be celebrated with a concert on May 23rd at La Sala Rosa in Montreal.

Commenting on this new collaboration, Genest tells us:

“‘She Let Go’ is a poem I discovered during a meditation retreat at the Insight Meditation Society. When you meditate intensively for days on, a particular availability and openness can sometimes set in. Safire Rose’s poem ‘She Let Go’ is a wonderful illustration of this state. My hope is that this piece will also enable us all to touch this state, even if only lightly.

“The piece begins as a duet with piano and voice. Yannick Anctil is an outstanding accompanist, and it was a privilege to see him and Jeanne Laforest take creative risks and throw themselves into the void like this when recording this duet section. Each take was unique and deeply alive.”

As It Is will act as the follow up to Genest’s 2021 debut album Triptyque. The latter album was awarded the Prix François-Marcaurelle at the OFF Festival de Jazz de Montréal in 2021. As It Is will feature eight new compositions characterized by a modern aesthetic, featuring complex rhythms and sophisticated melodies. Genest’s songwriting is very much influenced by classical impressionist music. He also draws heavily from mainstream jazz and the European jazz scene.

With As It Is, Genest wanted to bring together the worlds of jazz improvisation and mindfulness meditation. The latter has become a significant part of his life since he started practicing it ten years ago. The saxophonist feels that it is a catalyst for his creativity. The pieces on the record explore various themes that sit at the heart of meditation. Some of these themes include the quest for balance, interdependence, the perception of time, and impermanence. It’s a refined album by a cultivated artist who is always searching for the next big creative venture.

As It Is Track Listing:

1. Sur le fil
2. Kairos
3. Effet papillon
4. Savor
5. As It Is
6. Stalemate
7. Voir au-delà
8. She Let Go
9 Savor (alternate take)

Gabriel Genest “She Let Go” single artwork