Biography

Olivier Leclerc

A violinist since the age of 4, with classical training, Olivier grew up in a family of artists in Normandy, with his grandfather (tuner and piano and organ maker), his father (pianist, artistic director and composer). Olivier quickly became passionate about music of an improvised nature, listening to the pioneers of jazz violin, notably Stéphane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty and Didier Lockwood.

After obtaining his Music Technician Certificate in Sèvres, he joined the CMDL in 2003 where his master was the violinist Didier Lockwood. It was at this time that Olivier formed his first Trio which he called “A Ciel Ouvert”, as a sign announcing a path to follow. He will also be invited to perform during Pascal Sevran's television show broadcast on France 2, performing the song "Nine By Nine".

It was at this time that Olivier met Quebec singers with whom he had the pleasure of performing all over France and Quebec for almost 5 years. These meetings allow him to discover a festive repertoire, imbued with traditional music with its great flights to the sound of the violin. Formed in 2013, the “Trio Sortilège” perpetuates these traditions by bringing together the greatest singers of the Franco-Quebec repertoire (see projects).

Rich from all these experiences, Olivier founded the "Olivier Leclerc Trio" (feat. Jean-Michel Charbonnel and Pierre Achache) at the age of 24, bringing together all his musical influences. He recorded with this group his first album produced by Mildo Production, gave numerous concerts and notably performed for 4 evenings at the Olympia in Paris as the opening act for Elie Semoun.

His second album “Fascinating Grappelli” (feat. Jean-Baptiste Gaudray and Zacharie Abraham), is a tribute to the various trios that violinist Stéphane Grappelli was so fond of from the 70s. All these projects give Olivier the opportunity to express and develop the seeds of the improviser and composer ("Irish Dream", "Flowers", "Nuage d'Orient"...).

Her musical experiences have multiplied both on stage and through participation in various phonographic productions with among others: Martha FIELDS BAND, Sophie TAPIE, Pierre PERRET, Tania KASSIS, Elie SEMOUN, Jean-Jacques MILTEAU, François LAIZEAU, JAMAPAMAQ, SWING CLUB, Carlton MOODY, METANOYA…

Requested by the film music composer Alexis Maingaud, Olivier recorded the solo violin accompanied by the Orchester National d'Ile-de-France for the soundtrack of the film "The Sonata" directed by Andrew Desmond (awarded the prize for best music for a feature film FilmQuest USA 2019).

Olivier also composes several music for various television documentaries ("Champs Elysées la Folie des Grandeurs", "4 bebes par sec"), but also for an advertisement (Verbaudet).

Very attached to pedagogy and transmission, Olivier has a state diploma in violin teaching “jazz and improvised music”.

The year 2023 sees the birth of new projects: The formation "Two Fiddlers" (feat. Noémie Leborgne), co-soloists and long-time friends, this exceptional duo offers a wide range of musical styles (classical, jazz, klezmer, Irish...). Also the "Quatuor..." which will be discovered very soon. So many projects with which Olivier continues to tour the national and international stages (Lebanon, Colombia, Quebec, Switzerland, Lithuania, Scotland, England, Spain, Netherlands, Tahiti, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, etc.).