Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom

Orange Blossom is an electronic and world music group from Nantes, France. Formed in 1993, the band begins with Pierre-Jean Chabot, known as PJ Chabot, on violin and Jean-Christophe Waechter, known as Jay C., on percussion and vocals. Their lineup changes over the next few years as Éric Chauvière joins on organ in 1994, a first audio tape is recorded later that year, and Chauvière leaves in 1995 when the group settles into a new formation with the arrival of Carlos Robles Arenas on drums, djembe and sampler.

Early releases and collaborations

The group releases its first album, Orange Blossom, in 1997 on Prikosnovénie. It sells 15,000 copies. Before their second album, the band draws increasingly on ethnic and traditional music and works with non-French artists, including the Ivorian percussion group Yelemba D'Abidjan and the Egyptian group Ganoub. Orange Blossom tours in Egypt, France and Belgium.

Later line-up and albums

Jay C. leaves the band in 2000 and forms Prajña. In 2002, percussionist Mathias Vaguenez and vocalist Leïla Bounous join Orange Blossom. Their album Everything Must Change follows in 2005 on Bonsaï Music. The group’s members also include Hend Ahmed Hassan.

Style and members

The group is known for combining electronic music with world music and trip hop. Its members are Jean-Christophe Waechter, Pierre-Jean Chabot, Carlos Robles Arenas, Leïla Bounous, Mathias Vaguenez and Hend Ahmed Hassan. Carlos Robles Arenas is Mexican, and Leïla Bounous is part Algerian and part Breton.