Flutist, composer and sound designer Jocelyn Mienniel will unveil ‘Jocelyn Mienniel & Les Instruments Migrateurs’, his sixth album (digital and CD), on 16 January 2026, released on Buda Musique / Socadisc.
“Because the musical cultures of the five continents are migratory birds that tell the story of humanity’s past, present and future. Because the art of the flute, like the singing voice, is a vibrant and enduring testimony to the multiculturalism that surrounds us.”
At the origin of this project is the urgent need to break down the physical and psychological walls that are being erected all over the planet and, more insidiously, in our minds. These migratory instruments could not be better named. Whether they appear in China, Persia or West Africa, they carry with them the richness of humanity. Like fairy tales, they have adorned themselves with the languages and customs they have encountered to offer us these intense experiences of discovering an Elsewhere that is so far away and yet so close, of an Other that is so different and yet so similar.
To make a strong impact, Jocelyn Mienniel came up with a simple idea. Taking advantage of a two-season residency at the Comptoir/ Halle Roublot, he decided to bring together extraordinary artists from five continents to engage in cross-border dialogues. They meet on stage from 3 to 7pm and experiment together with a framework provided in advance by each of the protagonists. They would perform it that same evening and share the fruits of their fleeting encounter in a free improvisation. It is a joy to share once again a moment from these thirteen unforgettable concerts.
With his unique way of combining wind and percussion, Jocelyn Mienniel makes the flute a resolutely modern instrument. Renowned for his inventive playing and his unique and instantly recognisable sound, he ceaselessly explores the expressive limits of the flute through a poetic, dreamlike and rich world, mixing virtuosity, improvisation and electro-acoustic textures. He is a milestone in the history of an instrument that is over 50,000 years old. The very broad spectrum of his influences and activities makes this musician a truly extraordinary cross- disciplinary artist, constantly expanding his territory of performance and inspiration by collaborating with artists from all over the world.
