Electro Deluxe: Electrifying Jazz-FunkComplete Artist Profile
Electro Deluxe

Electro Deluxe

Electrifying Jazz-Funk Band

Biography

Formed in 2001 in France, Electro Deluxe has established itself as a formidable musical force that defies conventional categorization. The band began as a collaboration between four talented musicians: Thomas Faure (saxophone, programming), Jérémie Coke (bass), Arnaud Renaville (drums), and Gaël Cadoux (keyboards), who shared a vision of blending electronic sounds with jazz improvisation.

In 2010, a pivotal moment came when American vocalist James Copley joined the group, bringing his powerful, soulful voice to complement their instrumental prowess. This addition marked a significant evolution in their sound, shifting their focus toward more organic funk, soul, and jazz influences while maintaining their innovative edge.

Despite operating largely as an independent act, Electro Deluxe has achieved remarkable success in France and across Europe. Their last four albums have topped the jazz charts and reached the top 10 in mainstream pop charts – a rare achievement for a jazz-influenced act performing entirely in English within the French market.

In 2024, the band released “NEXT,” an album that represents a full-circle moment in their musical journey. With an emphasis on live session recordings and vintage instrumentation, the album captures the authentic soul of Electro Deluxe, demonstrating their continued growth and artistic vision after more than two decades of making music together.

Musical Journey

Electro Deluxe’s journey began in 2001 with a bold vision: to create a seamless fusion between the freedom of jazz improvisation and the electronic soundscapes that were dominating contemporary music. Their early work earned them recognition in the nu-jazz scene, but they were never content to stay within a single musical category.

With each album, the band has continued to evolve, gradually moving from electronic-heavy productions to a more organic, live-band approach that showcases their exceptional musicianship and energetic performance style. This evolution reached new heights with their Big Band format, which expanded their core lineup to include a full horn section, creating a powerful wall of sound.

Electro Deluxe performing
Key Career Highlights
  • Formation in 2001 as an instrumental jazz-electronic fusion band
  • Addition of vocalist James Copley in 2010, marking a significant evolution in their sound
  • Development of the Electro Deluxe Big Band formation, expanding their sound with additional horns
  • Multiple #1 positions on the French jazz charts and top 10 positions on mainstream pop charts
  • Performances at major European jazz festivals including Jazz à Vienne and Jazz Baltica
  • Collaborations with artists such as C2C, HKB FiNN, Nina Attal, and Ben l’Oncle Soul
  • Sold-out performances at prestigious venues including Paris’s Olympia and Trianon
  • Release of their latest album “NEXT” in 2024, returning to their musical roots

Discography

Listen
  • NEXT (2024) Their latest release returning to their roots with an emphasis on live session recordings and vintage instrumentation.
  • Apollo (2019) A cosmic-themed album exploring new sonic territories while maintaining their characteristic energy and groove.
  • Circle (2016) An album that showcased their unified vision and cohesive sound after years of performing together.
  • Home (2013) A breakthrough album that solidified their signature sound following the addition of James Copley.
  • Live in Paris (2012) A landmark live album capturing the energy and excitement of their Big Band performances.
  • Play (2010) A transitional album marking their shift toward a more soul and funk-oriented sound.
  • Hopeful (2007) An early album showcasing their nu-jazz and electronic influences.
  • Stardown (2002) Their debut album that introduced their unique blend of jazz improvisation and electronic production.
Musical evolution: Electro Deluxe’s discography showcases their journey from electronic-infused jazz to a more organic soul-funk sound. Their early albums featured heavy electronic production, while more recent releases have emphasized live instrumentation, vocals, and classic funk and soul elements, always maintaining their distinctive energy and musicality.

Live Performances

Electro Deluxe is renowned for their electrifying live performances that showcase their exceptional musicianship and infectious energy. From intimate jazz clubs to major festival stages across Europe, they consistently deliver unforgettable shows that blur the boundaries between jazz, funk, soul, and pop.

Electro Deluxe Big Band performing “Let’s Go To Work” live in Paris
Performance of “Crying” at Pleyel in Paris
Their live shows are celebrated for their seamless blend of tight arrangements and spontaneous improvisation, creating an immersive experience that connects deeply with audiences.

Musical Abilities

Electro Deluxe brings together a remarkable collection of musical talents, each member contributing unique abilities that form their distinctive sound. Their collective virtuosity allows them to move effortlessly between styles while maintaining their signature groove.

  • James Copley’s powerful vocals – Rich, soulful voice that can shift from smooth crooning to explosive power
  • Thomas Faure’s saxophone mastery – Combines jazz improvisation techniques with funk sensibilities
  • Jérémie Coke’s solid bass foundation – Creates infectious grooves that drive the band’s rhythm section
  • Arnaud Renaville’s dynamic drumming – Precision and creativity that bridges jazz complexity with funk’s dance-oriented pulse
  • Gaël Cadoux’s keyboard wizardry – Spans from vintage organ sounds to modern synthesizer textures

Their Big Band configuration expands this core with additional horns and percussion, creating a powerful wall of sound that maintains the intimacy and spontaneity of a smaller ensemble. This versatility allows them to adapt their performances to different venues and audiences while always delivering their characteristic energy.

Artistic Style

Electro Deluxe has developed a distinctive artistic identity characterized by:

  • Fusion of jazz improvisation with funk and soul’s rhythmic precision
  • Balance between modern production techniques and classic instrumentation
  • Emphasis on powerful live performances that capture the spontaneous energy of jazz
  • Integration of horn arrangements that reference classic soul while maintaining contemporary relevance
  • Lyrics exploring themes of personal connection, social commentary, and celebration
  • Visual aesthetic combining elegance with energetic expressiveness in performances
“Electro Deluxe has kept their name, even as their music has evolved into a dirty mélange of organic, groove-heavy Jazz, Funk, and pure jubilation, while dressed to kill.” — Band description

Watch Electro Deluxe

Watch full performance: Electro Deluxe liveRockpalast2018

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre of music does Electro Deluxe play?
Electro Deluxe defies simple categorization, blending elements of jazz, funk, soul, and R&B with occasional electronic influences. While they began more firmly in the electronic jazz fusion space, they’ve evolved toward a more organic funk and soul sound while maintaining jazz improvisation elements. They’re often categorized as jazz-funk or nu-jazz, but their sound transcends these labels.
How did Electro Deluxe develop their unique sound?
The band’s sound evolved organically through their 20+ year journey. Beginning as an instrumental quartet combining electronic production with jazz improvisation, they underwent a significant transformation when vocalist James Copley joined in 2010. This addition shifted their focus toward more traditional funk and soul while maintaining their jazz foundations. Their sound continues to evolve with each album, most recently returning to their roots with a focus on live instrumentation and organic production on their 2024 album “NEXT”.
Does Electro Deluxe perform with different configurations?
Yes, the band performs in two main configurations. Their standard lineup features the core band members (vocals, saxophone, bass, drums, and keyboards), while their “Big Band” formation expands this with additional horn players and sometimes percussion, creating a more powerful, expansive sound. Both configurations maintain the band’s characteristic energy and musical approach while offering different experiences for audiences.
What instruments are central to Electro Deluxe’s sound?
The saxophone plays a prominent role in their sound, with Thomas Faure’s playing often serving as a second “voice” alongside James Copley’s vocals. The rhythm section of bass and drums creates their infectious grooves, while keyboards provide both harmonic support and textural elements. In their Big Band configuration, the expanded horn section (trumpets, trombones, additional saxophones) adds depth and power to their arrangements.
How has Electro Deluxe’s music evolved over the years?
The band’s evolution has been marked several phases: their early years (2001-2010) focused on electronic jazz fusion; a transitional period following James Copley joining (2010-2013) that incorporated more vocal-driven soul elements; their middle period (2013-2019) that established their characteristic funk-jazz-soul hybrid sound; and their recent work, including 2024’s “NEXT,” which represents a return to their roots with an emphasis on organic sounds and live recording approaches while maintaining the stylistic developments of their journey.
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