Céline Bonacina plays baritone, alto and soprano saxophone, she’s a composer and leader of her own trio.
In 2007 she won the Group prize at the National Jazz competition in La Défense, France. In 2009 she was the winner of the Rezzo contest during Jazz à Vienne. In 2011 she was nominated for the “Instrumental Discovery French Music Awards. In 2012 she was selected for the european project “Take Five Europe”. This year (2013) she was the winner of the Adami french Award.
From the age of seven Céline studied music at the “conservatoire” (in Belfort, Besançon and Paris) then specialised in baritone saxophone in Paris big bands from 1996 to 1998. After gaining her music diplomas she moved to Reunion Island, where she taught at the regional music conservatoire for 7 years. During this time she performed in many festivals in the Indian Ocean with her own band, and as guest of the pianist Omar Sosa.
Back in France in 2005, she released her first album, « Vue d’en haut« , recorded on the island. Her compositions, interpreted with baritone, alto and soprano saxophones, are praised in the press (Jazz Magazine, Jazzman, Culturejazz, Sitarmag, Citizen Jazz, les Dernières Nouvelles du Jazz…).
With her 2010 album „Way of Life“ Bonacina had an impressive debut on ACT featuring Lê as a guest. ”Fono Forum” magazine commented on her playing: ”It is just sensational what sounds and musical styling Céline Bonacina manages to get out the Bariton-Saxophone.” Read more Celine Bonacina Trio – Open Heart (2013) ›