Céline Bonacina

Born in Belfort in 1975, Céline Bonacina first followed a path as a saxophonist trained in classical music at the conservatories of Belfort, Besançon and Paris, before situating her playing in jazz and improvised music. She plays soprano and alto saxophone, with the baritone occupying a central place, from which she draws a broad, agile and highly rhythmic tone. An important stage in her career took place on Réunion Island, where she lived for several years, taught at the conservatory in Saint‑Denis and notably played with the reggae group Natty Dread—an experience that has enduringly shaped her relationship to polyrhythms and the interplay between jazz, grooves and Indian Ocean music. Back on the mainland, Céline Bonacina released Vue d’en Haut in 2005, Way of Life in 2010, Open Heart in 2013, Crystal Rain in 2016 and Fly Fly in 2019. Her projects take shape as trios, quartets or in larger lineups, with writing that leaves ample room for collective momentum, lyrical lines and improvisation. Over the course of her career she has also worked with Nguyên Lê, Omar Sosa, Andy Sheppard and Rhoda Scott, in a field that connects contemporary jazz, stage energy and hybrid influences.