**** Jazz’halo, December 2025 (BE) – review by Stephen Godsall

Belgian guitarist and composer Quentin Dujardin has been releasing albums since 2002 and is also active with film music.

For this new release he has assembled a dream band with Manu Katché, drums (known for his work with Jan Garbarek, Sting and Peter Gabriel), Nicolas Fiszman, electric bass (work with Alphonse Mouzon, Joe Zawinul, Trilok Gurtu) and regular collaborator Didier Laloy on diatonic accordion.

His new album is themed around SAISON ORANGE, the “fifth season in which nature displays itself between winter and spring; the season of the pesticide-ridden fields around his village, turned orange through man’s efforts to ensure the illusion of better survival. » It’s a great idea, but the music is more like Spring than Winter; rhapsodic and harmonious. Dujardin’s style makes brilliant use of arpeggios and the compositions tend to grow organically rather than following a « theme-solo-theme » format; the interplay and conversations between instruments work very well.

Opening track « Epiphytes » also features Norwegian trumpet visionary Mathias Eick, and has an infectious drive from this superb rhythm section, alongside a strong melody. Although most pieces on the album are composed by Dujardin, he’s quite happy to stay in the background where it serves the music.

Second track « La Croisiere » features him on expressive sliding guitar, interacting nicely with accordion on a funk driven tune. Then « Janette sur son cheval » features solo guitar, with an intimate close-miked sound which leaves no stone unturned.

The title track harnesses the full power of the four piece band, on a fine composition which showcases group improvisation.

« Douce » combines acoustic, electric and slide guitars in a spacious counterpoint, with inventive support from the other three musicians. « Argile » is a beautiful duet for two guitars in free tempo, with exploratory melodies and harmony which again merge composition and improvisation.

The punchy and riff driven « Septembre » has exciting unison playing between guitar, accordion and bass which reminded me of Chick Corea and blooms into more electronic territory for its climax. The drums are very fine indeed. « Vivace » again begins with impressionistic solo guitar; evocative shifting arpeggios gradually introduce a lead line on electric guitar. The whole thing showcases Dugardin’s fine technique on fingerstyle guitar and creative approach to harmony.

The final track is a version of « L’Enfer » by Paul Van Haver/Stromae for guitar ensemble with piano. The variation between band recordings and guitar multi-tracks works well to give the album variety. This is a well thought-out album of strong material from seasoned musicians, with Quentin Dujardin shining brightly on nylon strung guitars.

Minor 7th, January 2026 (US) – review by James Filkins

Over the past 23 years, Belgian guitar virtuosi Quentin Dujardin has released 25 albums and five soundtracks. Within that impressive volume of work is a resplendent splendor of his ever-evolving sonic palette incorporating elements of classical, new and old world music and a decided proclivity towards jazz. Dujardin’s virtuosity on a nylon string guitar is what first drew me to his music. What I soon discovered was his sublime slide guitar work and his ability to create unique, vivifying and compelling rhythmic melodies compositionally. Creating musical ideas is one thing, possessing the wherewithal to bring those ideas to such creative heights in collaboration with other musicians in the studio is part of what makes Dujardin so special. Saison Orange opens with « Epiphytes, » on which bassist Nicolas Fiszman, drummer Manu Katché and Dujardin’s guitar build a pulsating rhythmic sonic terrain that is slowly and tantalizingly expanded by Norwegian trumpeter Mathias Eick and accordionist Didier Laloy‘s embellishments, creating a tasty jazz stew with a world Mediterranean flavor. Track #2, « La Croisière » (« The Cruise »), features Laloy and Dujardin trading licks on accordion and slide guitar over a seductive and funky groove laid down by Dujardin, Fiszman and Katche. This new release offers an incredibly satisfying mix of tracks driven by tight grooves created by the symbiotic force of Fiszman, Katche and Dujardin, as well as intricately woven guitar melodies that transport us to an entirely different place. On « Janette Sur Son Cheval » (« Janette On Her Horse »), the third track, a sweet melody emanates from Dujardin’s effervescent and refined fretwork blossoming into a melancholy duet, like an internal dialogue. Similarly, « Argile’ (« Clay ») showcases Dujardin’s ability to offer both sides of a guitar duet with elegant and intricate voices that offer a delicate and improvisational melody and atmosphere. « Vivace » (« Perennial ») opens with graceful arpeggiated notes that cascade slowly before drifting into a rambling rubato classical tinged rhythm that becomes a foundation for an intriguing electric guitar that floats on the surface and at times intermingles with the rhythm, eventually ebbing before a return to the beauty of the open. Interspersed in between are the title track, « Douce » (« Gentle »), and « Septembre, » all of which lean on the power and fusion of nylon guitar, bass, drums allowing a tapestry for some exquisite lead work from Dujardin often interlaced and accented by Didier Laloy’s compelling accordion. « Septembre »is a highlight with a phenomenally powerful rhythm that feels as though Dujardin, Fiszman, Katche and Laloy are channeling Weather Report, Return to Forever and John McLaughlin into an intense and sublime and bursting with sonic joy! On the final track, a cover of Stromae‘s earworm « L’Enfer » (« Hell »), becomes a showcase for his charismatic slide work. Saison Orange is a surprisingly and intricately balanced album that offers a multitude of delightful musical moments. Some would say Dujardin is a guitarist nonpareil, but that is only part of the story. Dujardin’s real gift lies in his compositions and the sonic affinity he achieves with other musicians. With this release Dujardin has added one more impressive work to a remarkable and distinctive oeuvre.