antonin gibet
BIOGRAPHY
Being able to express yourself as deeply as possible through music - that’s what excites Antonin Gibet. He recalls hearing jazz music as a child through his guitarist father and listening to artists such as John Scofield and Henri Texier. When he was 10 years old, Antonin began to learn the saxophone, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. A few years later, the Rennes music scene inspired him to try an instrument that he was very keen on, the bass guitar. From that moment on, he was hooked on the chemistry between musicians, the groove that he loved so much. Little by little, he explored the groove even deeper as he developed as a musician, and the double bass took his love for music to the next level. He then began earning his stripes in numerous jam sessions around Rennes and sought to consolidate his artistic development at the Rennes music school.
Antonin is motivated by constant musical study. “I always want to go as deep into the music as possible.”
INTERVIEW
How long have you been a musician?
“My father played jazz guitar when I was a child, and he played in some amateur groups. I always heard jazz at home, particularly John Scofield, Henri Texier, etc.
My grandfather had also played the saxophone since the days of his military service. He loved balls and dances, and he was also a stage worker.
I wasn’t especially interested in music initially. It’s my dad who suggested going to a music school. When I was 10, I went to learn the saxophone at the music school in Châteaugiron, and I went to jazz workshops there too.”
Did you already want to become a musician at that point?
“I very quickly found myself alongside professional musicians, and when I discovered the rock scene in Rennes, I started learning the bass guitar. My voice dropped very early, and the story goes that that’s when I started playing the bass, around 12 years old. I began playing rock music with different musicians at my school.
When I was 14, I started playing the bass guitar in jazz workshops at my music school, in parallel with the saxophone. That’s where I met some older students that I would go on to form some rock bands with and really move around the Rennes music scene.
I often had lessons the day after a gig. So, my dad used to pick me up in the evenings. He was happy to go with me, and he used to say that he might have liked to have done the same thing. My mum supported me too. While I was still at school, they used to take me to each gig and bring me home again afterwards.
At that time, I began to truly love music. Once I could play the Pink Panther on the saxophone, I knew I wanted to be a musician. My teachers were musicians, so I thought I could be one too, although I did also think about being a journalist or a writer.”
So, in the end, did you prefer the bass or the saxophone?
“I started to really love playing rock on the bass and holding a groove. I found that I was better at the bass than the saxophone. I don’t really know why I preferred the bass. Maybe I feel more essential for the music, for the groove. That chemistry between the bassist and the drummer, between musicians, I love it.
While I was in high school, I became increasingly sure that I wanted to be a musician. I told myself that anything was possible. When I was 16 years old, I wanted to go further with jazz. I met the saxophonist Jacques Ravenel, and I talked to him about wanting to be a musician. Other musicians had already told me that, if I wanted to play jazz, the double bass was a good choice, and Jacques agreed that it was easier to join a group if you played the double bass.
Then I started studying jazz at the music school in Rennes to develop my knowledge of jazz and double bass skills. These days, I prefer the double bass to the bass guitar, but I haven’t abandoned the bass guitar completely because I also play in funk bands.
I learnt a lot from the jam sessions around Rennes. I’ve had the pleasure to meet some superb musicians by living there. I have already had so many different experiences, and each one has contributed a lot to who I am today."
I always want to go as deep in the music as possible.”
