Etienne Mbappé & The Prophets

How Near How Far marks the debut of Mbappé's new group, The Prophets. Since 2014, he has brought together six virtuoso musicians for this project: Christophe Cravéro (acoustic and electric piano), Anthony Jambon (guitars), Clément Janinet (violin), Arno de Casanove (trumpet, flugelhorn), Hervé Gourdikian (tenor saxophone), and Nicholas Viccaro (drums, percussion) who strive to transcend traditions and cultures through a universal musical gentleness.

The unusual combination of tenor saxophone, trumpet, and violin shapes a very personal sound, imbued with dizzying improvisations. The Prophets explore eleven Mbappé originals, touching upon a number of international traditions while bridging cultural divides through musical skill and a thoughtful, conversational improvisational approach.

Their youth, human and musical qualities, and upward progression inspire Etienne, who sees them as prophets capable, in the form of musical prophecy, of revealing the forgotten or hidden truths of music's primary role as a vector for values of freedom, sharing, love, joy of living, giving, tolerance, respect, equality, friendship, peace, solidarity, generosity...