Jean-Marie "JM" Corrois
Summary
Born in the Loire Valley in the center of France, my career began as a young drummer with the band 'Trans African Express', a funk oriented group with a Central African lead singer. Together we performed throughout France. Attracted by Brazilian rhythms, I joined the battucada band 'Saravah'. This became an opportunity for me to adapt the percussion techniques to the drumset. Eager to learn more about jazz, I moved to Paris and attended the only jazz school at the time, the CIM.
1985 was a flourishing era for jazz music in France. I was recognized as a strong drummer in Paris and was invited to play with some of the finest french jazz musicians touring the world, like sax player Eric Seva, and influenced by great drummers such as Paco Sery, Andre Ceccarelli and so many others. 15 years in Paris surrounded by northern & central African rhythms influenced and expanded my range of drumming skills as well as great opportunities to perform in jazz clubs and festivals throughout France.
Determining to continue to expand my abilities and to raise the bar for myself, I took the leap across the ocean in 2000, first to Florida, performing with latin, jazz & cajun zydeco bands. This experience in the sunshine state gave me more confidence and knowledge regarding how to establish myself in my new country.
2004 was the time to move north to challenge my aptitude to perform in a more musically demanding part of the US...Boston and New York. The proximity of the Berklee School of Music & the New England Conservatory offered a tremendous opportunity to stretch and grow my abilities. Meeting and making friends with great musicians from both schools, I formed a trio, a quartet, recorded a CD 'Kaya', a CD ‘Force Tranquille’ and performed at major jazz venues such as Regatta Bar, Scullers, Bonafide & Ryles...
I value and consider life as a wellspring of possibilities and endless opportunities for challenge...never fearing change...always striving to improve myself and share my skills as a musician…my philosophy of life is embedded in my music and the passion to share and teach others.
DRUMMER
JMC QUARTET
EN ROUTE TRIO
DRUMS INSTRUCTOR
Skills
- Experience from 1985-2025
- Claire Laronde Quartet, playing jazz clubs and jazz festivals all over France -Saint Ouen jazz big band playing Bob Mintzer compositions -Disneyland Paris, being the show band drummer for New York and Newport hotels, Performing with Eileen Barnes singer, playing latin jazz set list -Performing with many jazz combos in Paris and France province jazz clubs and festivals -Big band drummer for Carnival Cruise ships fleet and small combos -Drummer for Bobby Ramirez latin jazz band, playing for Miami/Florida jazz clubs and festivals including Las Olas jazz brunch, Miami Moca Jazz festival with Tito Puentes big band -performing with my quartet at Regatta Bar, Ryles and many clubs in the Boston area -recording two CDs under my name “Jean-Marie Corrois Quartet”, “Kaya” first one recorded in Boston with Keala Kaumeheiwa on bass, Bill Vint on sax and Gilson Schachnik on piano “Force Tranquille” second one, with Leon Dorsey on bass, Manuel Valera on piano and Chase Baird on sax -Currently Performing in the Boston area with many jazz combos
- Education
- Drums school of Tours France -CIM School of jazz-Paris -Private lesson with Ignacio Berroa (Dizzy Gillespy, Gonzalo Rubalcaba) -Agostini Drums School, Paris -Daniel Pichon, La Baguetterie drums school Paris
- Teaching
- -Sainte Radegonde music school-Tours, France -Private drums lessons-Tours, France -Pearl Drums School-Paris -Somerville High School, United States -Middlesex Boarding School Summer Performing Arts Program (4 years) -Berklee College of Music , drums clinic for summer program -Private lessons in my home studio in Belmont, United States