By a twist of fate, I found myself covering the launch of Kulusé Souriant’s album Douvan at L’Entracte on May 21st. For the occasion, his quintet consisted of Geneviève Gauthier on alto saxophone, Antonin Bourgault on tenor saxophone, the renowned Santiago Ferrer on piano, and Sean Burke on double bass, while Kulusé himself was on drums. Having lived in Montreal for four years, Kulusé, a drummer and composer of Guadeloupean origin, is increasingly making a name for himself on the Montreal jazz scene. He collaborates with several artists, notably Rachel Therrien, who is preparing a rather original project for the Jazz Festival in which he will be participating.
Released on May 15, 2026, this 9-track album includes several collaborations, notably with Malika Tirolien on the track “Horizon.” Tirolien was present at L’Entracte, having just returned from a trip to Senegal for the Stereo Africa Festival and the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. Douvan is a call to reconnect with what is important: with oneself, with nature, and with others, in order to move forward.
From one piece to the next, the musicians are showcased. The saxophones alternate, sometimes even synchronizing. During some of Geneviève’s solos, Kulusé seemed to savor the moment, closing his eyes to better absorb it. We are immersed in different musical worlds throughout the concert, moving from gentle and introspective to more intense moments with breathtaking solos.
“I’m moved to present this music that we’ve been preparing for two years,” Kulusé tells us between songs. This artist, who is questioning his personal and musical identities, seems to have found some answers through this album.
Apart from “Heritage” and “Compassion” which last less than five minutes, most of the tracks are long enough to immerse us in Kulusé’s repertoire, which mixes jazz with other styles such as gwo ka, as is the case in “Anecdote”, on which he collaborates with Léo Tibao Leborgne.
Santiago Ferrer dazzled us, as always. His soaring piano solos delighted the audience, who seemed completely captivated. At times, it felt like we were in a legendary New York jazz bar. L’Entracte was the perfect venue for the evening, offering this intimate setting. Kulusé actually lived in New York for a few years in 2019, where he studied at the New School of Jazz before moving to Montreal a few years later.
“I’m lucky to play with such talented musicians,” he confesses. Depending on the drumsticks he uses, the atmosphere varies. On “Solitude,” one gets the impression of hearing rather mystical rhythms, which allows him to reinvent jazz by adding Guadeloupean sounds.
That said, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Malika Tirolien’s performance of “Horizon.” Kulusé’s immense respect and admiration for his fellow countrywoman was palpable. The song features a variety of rhythms, evoking a range of emotions. Malika’s improvisational section captivated the audience, who responded with enthusiastic applause.
Salomé Perli, singer and multi-instrumentalist, also features on the album but was unable to attend the launch. One thing is certain: this album will truly propel Kulusé Souriant onto the Montreal jazz scene, as he had primarily focused on his studies before this release. So remember this name; you’re likely to hear it again and again.
