Biography BAAJ & BAAJ
A deep and melodic voice on harmonies that provoke emotions.
ECLECTIC CREATOR, IN ALTERNATIVE POP STYLE TINTED WITH FRENCH TOUCH, AS AT EASE IN GROUPS AS SOLO
Deeply influenced by 1980s British pop, Baaj is regularly compared to Bono, Dave Gahan, or Brian Ferry for his voice. His musical compositions, and his covers, mix a New-wave enriched with more current rhythms, where softness rubs shoulders with a deep reflection on this brutal world obsessed with the ephemeral. The titles are interpreted in English but also in French. The public is not mistaken "he is strong because he knows how to revisit the titles of the artists he interprets"
Born into a family of professional jazz musicians, in the capital of champagne, Jean-Philippe started playing music at the age of 7 and decided to choose the guitar. He will therefore be a pianist in accordance with his father's wishes.
His first piano teacher called him "Little Mozart". He began his studies at the Reims Conservatory and then with a first prize teacher at the Paris Conservatory.
He works hard every evening on his scales for an hour and thus acquires a very good technique, which allows him to obtain the Nerini prize at the age of 11 in the prestigious Gaveau hall in Paris. At the same time, he began studying the clarinet and then the saxophone and improved his theoretical and rhythmic knowledge. He continued to play classical works until he was 16, a key moment in his life when Anglo-Saxon influences finally prevailed. The Cure, Simple Minds and The Smiths defeat Bach, Chopin and Mozart! He then set up his first group, which lasted from 1987 to 1996. Keyboard player, he first replaced the bassist, who often failed, then the singer, who was never there, and finally both at the same time. It was at this moment that he realized that his voice was particularly attracting the attention of the public and the positive and promising feedback would encourage him to put his voice forward and improve his vocal technique.
MUSIC FOR HIM IS NOT A CHOICE BUT AN EVIDENCE.
Throughout this period Baaj composed, on his piano or his bass, about fifty pieces of music and lyrics in English. He quickly gets into the habit of noting on an audio medium (k7, mini disc, telephone, etc.) the ideas that germinate in his head at any time of the day to rework them later.
He also pursues law studies which will enrich his knowledge and influence his reflections diversifying his ideas of text.
HIS MOJO: LIVE FROM MUSIC AND FOR MUSIC
BAAJ knows it, music is more than a passion and he will live from it one day, but the lack of information and network encourages him to find a job in the meantime. He signs a contract to make some money and at the same time continues to create songs and set up groups to perform them live.
Having had to change regions several times during his life, he created a new group each time: October in Normandy, Otherwise in Charente-Maritime (first EP: Otherwise # 1 in 2006), Someone Else in Paris.
Eclectic, Baaj also likes the blues which hosts a renowned festival in Cognac. This destination makes him meet new people. He then founded The Cognac Saints (eponymous EP in 2013) and No Twin, groups still active. Thanks to a particularly developed musical ear, he can accompany all types of musicians in many styles.
TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION: AN OPPORTUNITY
Baaj has never given up since his debut and has been able to adapt to new means of recording and musical creation for the benefit of his compositions. Today, technological progress offers him the possibility of carrying out his first Pop-New wave solo project: BAAJ&BAAJ. Jean-Philippe exercises both the roles of author-composer-instrumentalist-singer and even director-editor of video clips. He also makes his own recordings in his home studio after having trained himself for many years. In addition to songs, he is now interested in film and credits music. He notably wrote the theme for the 40k Wargamers TV channel.
Baaj has taken so much pleasure in listening to his favorite bands during his life that he sets himself the goal of delivering a lot of emotions to his audience.
His debut album "For Once" has already been listened to over fifty thousand times on download platforms and many songs are yet to come.
The reactions of the audience are unanimous: "I love his voice" or "I thought it was a record that was playing and was very surprised to see Baaj singing as I approached the stage"
https://youtu.be/Pl7xWxlBa7ghttps://youtu.be/1CoUKokLdUg
Press :
https://www.wewriteaboutmusic.com/reviews/baaj-and-baaj-dont-cry
https://musikepool.com/dont-cry-radio-edit-by-baaj-baaj-a-resonant-uplift/
https://jylablog.com/dont-cry-by-baaj-baaj-an-uplifting-dance-anthem-of-resilience/
https://findnoenemy.com/baaj-baaj-more-n-more/
https://sistra.me/sweet-earth-by-baaj-baaj
https://www.tjplnews.com/post/baaj-baaj-i-can-t-think
https://www.musicarenagh.com/baajbaaj-sweet-earth