French saxophonist and composer Virginie Daïdé leads her quartet in While We’re Strollin’, an original jazz project inspired by the movement and energy of cycling through Paris. Expect melodic hooks, groove-driven rhythms and improvisation, brought together by four musicians with a closely connected sound.

About the Performance

For While We’re Strollin’, Virginie Daïdé takes movement as the starting point for her compositions. The idea grew out of cycling through Paris, where musical phrases came to her along the way and gradually developed into a collection of original pieces.

The quartet combines contemporary jazz with groove-based rhythms and improvisation, while keeping melody and ensemble sound at the centre. Rather than focusing on individual solos alone, the musicians build the performance through attentive listening and interaction, moving between catchy riffs, rhythmic momentum and more open musical passages.

The Musicians

Virginie Daïdé – Saxophone

Based in Paris, Virginie Daïdé is a French jazz saxophonist and composer who has performed and recorded with international musicians. She collaborated with American trumpeter Tom Harrell on an album paying tribute to Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. Over the past three years, she has toured France, Europe and Asia with her own quartet. Her albums as a bandleader include Dream Jobim (2018), Moods (2023) and While We’re Strollin’ (2023).

Albert Bover – Piano

Originally from Barcelona and now based in Paris, Albert Bover studied classical piano in Barcelona and New York before developing his jazz practice with musicians including Fred Hersch, Barry Harris, Sal Mosca and Jaki Byard. Since 1986, he has worked extensively as a sideman with international jazz musicians, including Al Foster, Art Farmer, Kenny Wheeler and Roy Hargrove. He is also a professor in the jazz department at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, teaching piano, ensemble playing and improvisation.

Tony Rabeson – Drums

Born in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 1958, Tony Rabeson grew up in a musical family and began performing in local clubs at the age of eight. His style draws on bebop, hard bop, modal and free jazz, alongside rhythms from Malagasy musical traditions. After moving to France at 20, he became a regular collaborator with leading musicians including Toots Thielemans, Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz and Michel Portal. He has also led his own projects, including the trio album Angidina.

Thomas Posner – Bass

Born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1983, Thomas Posner studied double bass in Toronto before beginning his professional career in Japan, where he spent five years performing jazz and traditional Japanese music. Now based in Paris, he regularly performs in jazz and world music projects.

Setlist

• Last Minute
• Ginger Blues
• Esplanade
• Forgetting
• The Milkman on the Steps
• Rue du Poulet
• Let’s Go to the Gig
• Steppin
• Baloo’s Blues
• Soft Soda
• The Roll Credits
• Unfolging Times
• Turn
• Sol in Vigo

Why Go

While We’re Strollin’ offers a look at contemporary European jazz through original compositions shaped by everyday movement, rhythm and melody. Virginie Daïdé’s quartet brings together musicians with extensive international experience, creating space for both tightly connected ensemble playing and improvisation. The setlist also gives the evening a varied progression, from blues-influenced pieces to groove-led numbers.

Seating Plan