Saxophonist Stephane Mercier has lived in Boston (92-95), New York (95-02), Paris (02-04) and Brussels (04-present) playing with numerous musicians and bands in various styles. As a student at the Berklee College of Music, he already gained the experience of getting awards (Downbeat magazine, Berklee itself,...), touring, and signing record deals. His second album Flor de Luna (year 2000-FSNT097), recorded in NY and produced by the great Barcelonian label Fresh Sound was released worldwide and acclaimed by the press. Other experiences led him to record at Birdland for the house label with the Magali Souriau Orchestra (featuring Chris Cheek, Jeff Ballard, Aaron Goldberg, Dennis Irwin,...), or tour and play the NY scene with the new generation (Mark Turner, Matt Penman, Seamus Blake, Avishai Cohen(tr), Tony Malabi, Miguel Zenon,...). He also played with Wynton Marsalis and Randy Brecker as NYC can often be surprising. Stephane lately settled down in Europe, where he raises his family and leads different projects, ranging from acoustic duo to big band and plays as a sideman for many groups. The Metronome magazine featured his electronic jazz in a compilation that introduced European artists to Asia. A compilation named "JazzOlympics" enjoys a worldwide distribution, featuring Stéphane amongst Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Charles Loos, Jef Neve, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, etc... His latest album "Walking the Soul Map" (Mognomusic J031) has the cream of the Belgian jazz scene. In addition, he is today member of the Mauro Gargano Quartet (Mo'Avast Band wins Revelation! in Jazz Magazine, “Elu” Citizen Jazz and Francesco Bearzatti wins Best European Jazzman of 2011 by the French Jazz Academy), Bruno Castellucci's group, Jazz Station Big Band, and more...He is also a sought-after composer, producer, arranger and lyricist.
