2019 French Cultures Festival Kick-off Concert

By: Heidi Powell-Prera, Photographer/Journalist

Spoken by 300 million people on the five continents and by 2.1 million people in the United States, French language is the second most widely learned language in the world. Since 1970, French language has been celebrated on March 20, which marks the birth of the Intergovernmental Organization of French-speaking nations (Organisation internationale de la francophonie).

Each year in March, the Cultural Service of the French Embassy in Houston organizes the French Cultures Festival (FCF) in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A celebration of the diversity of “francophonie”, it brings together people who not only speak French, but also feel, in one way or another, connected to France and the Francophone community.

One of the major objectives of the French Cultures Festival is to create awareness of the diversity of contemporary French culture and to stimulate exchanges with the public.

This year’s festival was officially launched during the 7th annual kick-off concert, showcasing a bouncing mix of jazz, soul, R&B and funk sounds with three bands: Scott Tixier(France), David Caceres (Houston, TX) and Andréanne Martin (Quebec).

IF Magazine’s own Jazz Photographer Heidi Powell-Prera, was on the scene to capture Scott Tixier’s performance. “The evening was perfect for sitting out at Discovery Green listening to music. The wind crescendoed with the band ending the set with a light rain which just added to the Magic. As I walked through the crowd I saw people mesmerized by the music and kids playing. Scott Tixier’s playing was both energizing and relaxing at the same time. A Truly Inspiring performance.”

Scott Tixier is one of his generation’s extraordinary talents, Scott Tixier has made a name for himself as a violinist-composer of wide-ranging ambition, individuality and drive.

The Dallas-based musician, born in 1986 in Montreuil, France has performed with some of the leading lights in jazz and music legends from Stevie Wonder to NEA jazz master Kenny Barron. Tixier studied classical violin at the conservatory in Paris. He has lived in New York for over a decade where he performed and recorded with a wide range of artists, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Roger Waters, Kenny Barron, John Legend, Ed Sheeran and many others.

He played in all the major venues across the United States at Carnegie Hall, the Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Apollo Theater and the United States Capitol.

In addition to performing in and out the jazz world, Tixier has been appearing in the house band on most of the TV shows in America such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as well as the previous format with David Letterman, The Late Night with Seth Meyers and America Got Talents for 3 seasons. www.scott-tixier.com/#about

The French Cultures Festival would not be possible without the support of our valued sponsors.We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to:

● the Government of Canada

● Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA

● Schlumberger

● Awty International School

● ENGIE North America

● le Bureau du Québec à Houston

● Sallymoon Benz

● TV5MONDE USA

● Phoenicia Specialty Foods

● the Four Seasons Hotel Houston

● the Consulate General of France in Houston

● Pauvarel-Moss Law Firm

● the Consulate General of Switzerland

● Maisons Marques & Domaines

● BCI Bonneté

http://frenchculture.org.events/9197-2019-french-cultures-events