Yves Brouqui's Mean What You Say: A Jazz Album That Lives Up to Its Name

For his SteepleChase debut, Mean What You Say, French guitarist Yves Brouqui delivers a straight-ahead jazz album that is both timeless and personal. Blending the rhythmic soul of American modern jazz with the refined touch of Parisian cool, Brouqui presents a confident and mature voice—one that swings hard, listens closely, and speaks with intention.

Recorded in March 2024 in New York City, Mean What You Say features a world-class rhythm section: pianist Spike Wilner, bassist Paul Gill, and drummer Anthony Pinciotti. Together with Brouqui, the trio creates a dynamic yet intimate atmosphere, grounded in post-bop tradition but brought to life with sharp precision and emotional depth.

Though Brouqui has long split his time between Paris and New York, this record isn’t a cross-cultural pastiche—it’s pure straight-ahead jazz. His tone is warm and articulate. His solos, lyrical and uncluttered, call to mind players like Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Joe Pass—not in imitation, but in spirit. Brouqui’s voice is fully his own: clear, seasoned, and deliberate.

Brouqui honed his craft in the Paris jazz circuit—playing at legendary venues such as Duc des Lombards and Sunset—and later deepened his artistry in the jazz clubs of New York. Over the years, he’s performed alongside jazz greats like Steve Grossman, Peter Bernstein, Emmanuel Bex, and Joe Magnarelli. That experience shows. Mean What You Say is not a debut in spirit, even if it marks his first project with SteepleChase. It’s a confident, thoughtful statement from a player who knows exactly what he wants to say—and says it with elegance.

The album’s repertoire leans into the post-bop idiom, with swinging tempos, blues-infused moments, and melodic sophistication. But what sets it apart is the effortless interplay between musicians. The group moves as one, capturing the essence of a conversation more than a performance. Brouqui leads not by force, but through feel, giving space for the music to breathe.

With previous projects that include tributes to Horace Silver and collaborations with gypsy jazz violinist Florin Niculescu, Brouqui has shown a wide range of interests, always anchored in deep respect for tradition. Mean What You Say continues that thread—rooted in the lineage of jazz guitar, yet unmistakably his own.

For listeners craving authentic, straight-ahead jazz with heart, clarity, and craft, Mean What You Say is a standout release—one that affirms Yves Brouqui as a voice worth hearing.