The French Horn Jazz Project invites listeners into a multi dimensional voyage where a cherished musical form expands through the singular voice of the horn. It breaks away from conventional boundaries and invites the music to speak with a lively, shifting energy. In this collaboration, jazz is not merely heard; it is experienced as a dialogue between styles and a fearless display of improvisational freedom. The project treats the horn as both melodic partner and colorist, weaving its timbres through jazz’s spontaneous conversation and delivering an immersive listening experience that feels fresh with every performance.
At its core, the ensemble travels through the evolving stages and aesthetic possibilities of the horn while keeping an open, responsive dialogue with jazz language and improvisation. The music grows from shared exploration, where each breath and note poses a question and the other players answer with immediacy, shape-shifting textures, and an unspoken trust. This approach keeps the music vibrant, allowing quartet or trio formats to bend and stretch without losing the essential spirit of collective improvisation that defines jazz in its most dynamic form.
Beginning with a strong quintet core, the French Horn Jazz Project embraces flexibility and creative breadth, enabling a rotating cast to present a unified artistic statement in different configurations. Whether performed as a quartet or a trio, the group maintains a cohesive identity that emphasizes the horn’s expressive range and the ensemble’s responsive chemistry. The arrangements spotlight the horn alongside voices from the wind family and the rhythm section, creating a lush tapestry that remains accessible to listeners while inviting deeper listening on repeated encounters.
Formation: Horn + Trumpet + Trombone
Piano + Double Bass + Drums
David Pastor stands out as a leading figure in the Spanish jazz scene, celebrated as both performer and educator. A prolific trumpeter, composer, and collaborator, he builds diverse projects that cross genres while sustaining a strong voice as a leader. His work spans recording studios, concert halls, and international stages, contributing to a broad spectrum of music projects that emphasize creativity and technical prowess. Pastor’s career is marked by a steady stream of compelling performances and a commitment to mentoring younger musicians, which has established him as a trusted presence in contemporary jazz circles.
Since 2009, he has served as a permanent professor of trumpet at Taller de Músics de Barcelona, where he guides aspiring players and shares practical wisdom about performance, pedagogy, and the art of improvisation. His teaching role complements a busy performing schedule, creating a platform where theory and practice intersect to nurture next-generation talent and keep the tradition of jazz education robust in the region.
Pastor has performed at major international jazz festivals around the world, presenting his artistry to diverse audiences. Notable appearances include prestigious events in Montreal, Canada, and Montreux, Switzerland, where the festival atmosphere and high-level programming provide a fertile ground for artistic exchange. He has also graced Eurojazz and the Cancun International Music Festival in Mexico. In addition to these stages, he has featured in key European venues and festival lineups across cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, further enriching his global footprint.
In the realm of collaboration, Pastor works with a broad roster of distinguished artists, expanding his musical conversations beyond a single genre. His partnerships include notable figures such as Miguel Poveda, Santiago Auserón, Sole Giménez, and Martirio, among others. These collaborations illustrate a versatile artist who crosses stylistic borders with ease, bringing a wide palette of influences to horn-driven jazz projects and enriching the music with fresh perspectives and shared creative energy.