Alexandra Grimal had every reason to take piano lessons, what with music-loving parents, a violinist brother and a piano taking pride of place in the living room. It belonged to her grandmother, whom Alexandra, born in Cairo in 1980, hardly knew. At age 13, she changed instruments and took up the saxophone, and stayed faithful to her second choice; when her brother asked her what job she thought she would like, she answered by telling him her dream of becoming a saxophonist. She may well have thought again and become a translator or French teacher, but Alexandra dared to believe in her dreams – and so they tended to come true. She modestly downplays the encounters that have influenced her, including one with her teacher, the saxophonist John Ruocco: “He was a beacon,” she remembers. She soon began taking part in dance and silent-movie projects, winning prizes and, above all, composing just as naturally as she played. Her first album, released this year, met with critical acclaim. A few months ago, her producer, Gérard Terronès, asked her whom she would like to play with. She went along with what might well have been a joke by citing the greatest of contemporary sidemen – but Gérard Terronès found the idea captivating, and three weeks later the musicians agreed and the studio was booked. Alexandra couldn’t believe it was really happening, and is still bowled over: “Recording an album like this makes all those years of work meaningful” – and one more dream come true.

Her favorite musicians ?
Steve Coleman, Benoît Delbecq,  Masabumi Kikuchi, Marc Ducret and Stefan Oliva, for starters.