Simon Moullier

French vibraphonist Simon Moullier aims to create an aura with his colorful, energetic work as a leader. Having previously appeared on recordings by Gabriele Poso, Bob Sheppard, and others, he made his full-length debut in 2020 with Spirit Song. He introduced the Simon Moullier Trio with 2021′s Countdown, followed by the 2023 quartet date Isla.
Born in 1994 in Paris, Moullier studied classical percussion before he started playing vibraphone in high school. He graduated from the Berklee College of Music before earning a master’s degree at the Thelonious Monk Institute in Los Angeles, where he was mentored by Herbie Hancock. He performed at several festivals, including the Havana International Jazz Festival, where he met Quincy Jones, who subsequently hailed Moullier as his favorite vibes player. As a sideman, Moullier appeared on releases by Alex Hahn, Anthony Fung, Bob Sheppard, and several others. His first album as a leader, Spirit Song, was issued by Outside In Music in 2020. Reflecting his growth throughout the years, the full-length was recorded between 2017 and 2020 at several sessions in Los Angeles and New York, with guests including saxophonists Dayna Stephens and Morgan Guerin. Leading a trio rounded out by bassist Luca Alemanno and drummer Jongkuk Kim, Moullier released his second album, Countdown, on Fresh Sound New Talent in 2021. Isla arrived in 2023 and featured a quartet with pianist Lex Korten, bassist Alexander Claffy, and drummer Kim. ~ Paul Simpson