Merlin Breij
Merlin Breij is a Swiss composer, arranger and guitarist from Lausanne. As an eclectic composer, his works include "Strata", which crosses jazz and contemporary classical music (for string quartet and electric guitar in 5 movements); "Piazza Virgiliana", a commissioned virtuoso piece for cello (for cello, electric guitar and drums); "Impulsions" (for composite ensemble in 5 movements); "Variations sur un Écho de Jeunesse" (Variations on an Echo of Youth), commissioned by Jeunesse et Musique school to mark its 50th anniversary (for the entire teaching staff and a selection of some twenty students, in 9 movements); or "Exode", in the chamber jazz register, (for 2 clarinets and electric guitar, in 3 movements).... These compositions underline the fascination that notions of form and timbre exert on the listener's perception, the fusion of harmonic and melodic languages gathered from different approaches of composing, while defending melodic and rhythmic values, with the aim of a radical musical expression.
Guitarist specialized in "chamber" jazz formations, Merlin Breij plays willingly in duo, as with the group " Naratès “(piano and guitar), or in trio : "Merlin et les Maîtres de l'Air" (2 bass clarinets and guitar) ; however without excluding classical combos, as his work with "Cerulean Poppy" has shown. His skills as a "section" guitarist and as an interpreter of written music have also earned him a place in larger ensembles, such as "Tribute to Maria Schneider" produced by the HEMU in 2019, or the "SYJO", where he recorded with a Big Band featuring Peter Erskin, Christian Jacob, and Tim Ries, among others. Beside his jazz occupation, Merlin Breij also works as guitarist in the field of contemporary creation, playing his own compositions ("Strata", "Piazza Virginian") or others people work. These projects have led him to play in places such as Label Suisse, Spirale, Chorus, Théâtre 2.21, the Montreux Jazz Festival and Septembre Musical.
His musical studies took place at the HEMU (Haute École de Musique de Lausanne) and before that at the EJMA - École de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle, with teachers such as Sylvain Luc, Emil Spanyi, Vinz Vonlanthen, William Blank, Jeff Baud and Julien Feltin, obtaining his Bachelor's degree in 2019 with the highest honors at his graduation concert, and his Master's degree in pedagogy in 2021, which was awarded with the J. de Crousaz prize.
His creative work is supported by various grants and prizes, including a grant from the Friedl-Wald Foundation in 2020.
Guitarist specialized in "chamber" jazz formations, Merlin Breij plays willingly in duo, as with the group " Naratès “(piano and guitar), or in trio : "Merlin et les Maîtres de l'Air" (2 bass clarinets and guitar) ; however without excluding classical combos, as his work with "Cerulean Poppy" has shown. His skills as a "section" guitarist and as an interpreter of written music have also earned him a place in larger ensembles, such as "Tribute to Maria Schneider" produced by the HEMU in 2019, or the "SYJO", where he recorded with a Big Band featuring Peter Erskin, Christian Jacob, and Tim Ries, among others. Beside his jazz occupation, Merlin Breij also works as guitarist in the field of contemporary creation, playing his own compositions ("Strata", "Piazza Virginian") or others people work. These projects have led him to play in places such as Label Suisse, Spirale, Chorus, Théâtre 2.21, the Montreux Jazz Festival and Septembre Musical.
His musical studies took place at the HEMU (Haute École de Musique de Lausanne) and before that at the EJMA - École de Jazz et de Musique Actuelle, with teachers such as Sylvain Luc, Emil Spanyi, Vinz Vonlanthen, William Blank, Jeff Baud and Julien Feltin, obtaining his Bachelor's degree in 2019 with the highest honors at his graduation concert, and his Master's degree in pedagogy in 2021, which was awarded with the J. de Crousaz prize.
His creative work is supported by various grants and prizes, including a grant from the Friedl-Wald Foundation in 2020.