Olivier Roizès, flamenco jazz percussionist

From mathematics to percussion

3+1 equals a little more than 4, this reformed ex-mathematician seems to demonstrate, ever since he entered the friendly and then artistic circle of the original trio. After formative stays in Andalusia where he immersed himself in a flamenco musical tradition he deeply admires, he returned to his homeland with latidos now beating at the heart of Teclao's compositions.

At 6, he spent his Wednesdays alone at home methodically working through his parents' record collection. His favourite album quickly became Ummagumma by Pink Floyd.

The percussion features throughout — both in the compositions and on the back cover photo. The sleeve is illustrated with mathematical concepts: on the front, infinite mirrors with the four band members permuted, on the back, axial symmetry and projective geometry.

Two passions were born in Olivier simultaneously: percussion and mathematics. And with those passions grew a certainty — that he could only truly learn in joy and freedom.

Olivier Roizès, percussionist — Teclao, album Odisea

From the Château d'Ô to Andalusia

At 10, he regularly sneaked out of his solfège classes at the conservatoire. Not enough joy in that world, which he experienced as a prison. Despite this open defiance, his magnanimous parents gave him a drum kit for Christmas.

As a teenager, he scaled the walls of the magical Château d'Ô in Montpellier to attend every concert of a jazz festival for free. The greatest musicians performed there; he was thrilled to watch and listen up close to Péter Erskine, Trilok Gurtu and others.

As an adult, while teaching mathematics, he took a year's sabbatical in Andalusia. It was an aesthetic shock — the taconeos of dance, the palmas, the cajón… Olivier could only resign his position as a maths teacher and forge his path as a percussionist in perpetual learning.