Saxophonist Julien Soro Discusses Jazz Project 'The Other Side of Water' and Musical Philosophy

French jazz saxophonist Julien Soro is currently touring with his collaborative project 'The Other Side of Water,' which he developed with pianist Delphine Deau. The project originated as an intimate duo recording released in October 2025 under the Pegazz & l'Hélicon collective, exploring themes of water and resonance through impressionistic compositions. Soro has since expanded the work into an orchestral version performed by a nine-piece ensemble called The Other Side Orchestra. This group debuted at Radio France's Studio 104 in Paris on March 28, 2026, opening for The Bad Plus, whom Soro cites as a significant influence. Additional performances are scheduled for May 7, 2026 in Tours, followed by dates in the Île-de-France region throughout June and September 2026. The orchestra plans to record an album in September 2026. Born in Paris on May 4, 1981, Soro graduated from the Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et danse de Paris in 2007. His career includes collaborations with contrabassist Raphaël Schwab and guitarist Frédéric Maurin, whom he followed to the Orchestre national de jazz in 2019. Soro cites saxophonist Sonny Rollins as his primary musical inspiration, alongside influences like John Coltrane, Keith Jarrett, and Art Pepper. He describes improvisation as central to his practice, allowing him to enter what he calls a 'trance' state during performance. The musician values artistic risk-taking and has experimented with various ensemble configurations throughout his career.