The Fantasy Orchestra is an associative orchestra founded in Paris and Bristol in 2012. It is open to singers and musicians from all backgrounds, without prior audition. Their musical adventure began with covers of Ennio Morricone compositions. Since then, Fantasy has expanded its repertoire every year: from David Bowie to Radiohead, from Leonard Cohen to the Beatles and the Beach Boys, from Sun Ra to Jimi Hendrix. Around 25 musicians of different nationalities, led by outstanding arranger and conductor Jesse D. Vernon.
The Fantasy Orchestra's mission is simple: "world peace, note for note". They meet to rehearse every week and tour by bike every summer. The Fantasy Orchestra's performances can involve up to 80 participants on stage, each in their own unlikely costumes and disguises.
"The aim of Fantasy Orchestra is to bring people together, wherever they come from, whatever their background, and have them play bold music together. You can see the magic of the experience on their faces at our concerts, as well as in the reactions of audiences wherever we play."
Jesse D. Vernon, chef d'orchestre
Jesse D. Vernon is a veteran of the French and British indie music scene. Starting out in 1990 with the legendary Bristolian psychedelic band The Moonflowers, he went on to launch his own project. Morning Star. and collaborates with such notable figures as Jim Barr of Portishead and John Parish.
Passionate about participatory music, he founded the Fantasy Orchestra in 2012 in Bristol as well as in Paris, where he has lived since 2005. In addition to being an orchestra, the Fantasy Orchestra is the meeting place of a large international musical family, with many eminent patrons who like to visit and play with them.
They include : This ls The Kit (FR/UK), Rozi Plain (UK), Rachel Dadd (UK), Jherek Bischoff (US), Cabane (BE), Flop (FR), Louise Thiolon (FR), La Mirastella (FR). Nuala Honan (UK). KidsAreDead (FR) and Olivier Marguerit/Ô (FR) among many others.
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