Christophe ROCHER

Christophe Rocher is a clarinetist, composer, and sound explorer whose artistic approach lies at the crossroads of contemporary jazz, improvised music, and sound research.

Trained at the Conservatoire of Clichy, he has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices on today’s jazz scene.

 
His playing, renowned for its rich sonic textures and complex melodies, reflects a deeply personal and innovative approach to musical creation.

During his early years, he studied under Jacques Di Donato, Fabrizio Cassol, and Steve Coleman — three major figures whose influence would profoundly shape his understanding of music and improvisation.

A graduate in Artificial Intelligence (1991), Christophe Rocher has developed throughout his career a unique perspective on the connections between music and science.

 
His work explores the relationship between artistic creation, sound structure, and technological innovation, affirming an open and decidedly contemporary vision of the musical act.

Collaborating with numerous figures from the jazz and improvised music scenes in France, Europe, and the United States, he is also deeply committed to the promotion of creative music in modern society.
As both an artist and event organizer, he has initiated projects such as the Atlantique Jazz Festival, the Festival Les Luisances, and the ARCH international exchange program.

Since 2012, he has served as the artistic director of the Ensemble Nautilis, an emblematic ensemble that unites innovation, improvisation, and global openness, embodying the freedom and artistic rigor of a musician profoundly in tune with his time.