Jacques Helmus – soprano saxophone

Jacques Helmus is a French saxophonist and composer, active as a professional musician since his teenage years. He studied notably with David Liebman and at the Eastman School of Music (USA).

Throughout his career he has collaborated with international artists including Steve Swallow, John Taylor, Adam Nussbaum, Manu Katché, Erik Truffaz, Patrick Moraz and André Manoukian.

Founder of the jazz school AIMRA and professor at the Lyon Conservatory until 2021, he is today the creator and artistic leader of HÆLICS, a project exploring breath, space, improvisation and sonic narration through an open and cinematic musical language.

Brian Bennett - piano/keyboards

Brian Bennett is an American pianist and composer whose work bridges composition, improvisation and cinematic textures. Co-founder of the group Touch with Jacques Helmus, he has performed and recorded alongside musicians including John Taylor and Steve Swallow,, 2E2M ensemble , in France and the United States.

François Verly – percussion

French percussionist and pianist François Verly is a major figure in contemporary and improvised music. Originally trained in classical music, he quickly developed a highly personal language blending jazz, world music and contemporary creation.

Throughout his career he has collaborated with numerous international artists including Michel Portal, Martial Solal, Anouar Brahem, Andy Emler, Lee Konitz, Randy Brecker and Nguyen Lê, and has performed at major festivals across Europe, Africa, Asia and the United States.

A musician of great rhythmic and sonic sensitivity, he brings to HÆLICS a unique sense of breath, color and depth.

Antony Petot– Bass

Bassist Antony Petot develops an approach where depth of sound, melodic flow and collective interaction occupy a central place. Moving between electric bass and electric upright bass, he explores resonances, long lines and open spaces within an aesthetic that is both grounded and atmospheric.

His work with sound texture and sustained interaction gives HÆLICS an organic and constantly evolving sonic foundation.