Biography
Composer, saxophonist, arranger and Max-MSP programmer
Denis Guivarc'h composes for contemporary dance, notably with choreographer Léo Lérus and the Zimarèl company (Gounouj, Ici, Sibylline), and designs interactive sound systems driven by motion sensors (Max-MSP).
Born in the Côtes-d'Armor, he started music in 1983 in Saint-Quay-Portrieux and joined the Saint-Brieuc conservatory in 1988, in Pierrick Pédron's class. In Paris he studied at the CIM, where he became an assistant teacher, and studied musicology at Paris 8.
His career began in 1991 with a first recording in Eddy Louiss's Multicolor Feeling. He then met Magic Malik and followed him in Human Spirit and the Magic Malik Orchestra: twenty years of collaboration, seven albums and tours on major stages (Marciac, North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Barbican Centre in London, Knitting Factory in New York).
A sought-after sideman, he toured for a year and a half with Paco Sery and has played with Steve Coleman, Nelson Veras, Pierre de Bethmann, Bojan Z, Julien Lourau, Baptiste Trotignon, Louis Moutin, Jean-Pierre Smadj, Minino Garay and Anga Díaz. Under his own name: Exit (2008) and Reverse (2014). More recently he has recorded with Jérémy Lirola, whose saxophonist he has been since 2012 (Mock The Borders, 2021; Back to Möbius, premiered 2026), Herer (Nunataq², 2022; Bombay Experience, 2025) and Melem (Le baume pour l'âme, 2024; Eclipses with Aneta George, 2026).
He also works in the studio as a producer, arranger and remixer, and as a musician for television.
Stage and tours
- Since 2023
- International tours of Léo Lérus's pieces: Entropie, Gounouj, Ici
- 2026
- “Back to Möbius” premiere — Jérémy Lirola, Le Diapason (Vendenheim)
- 2022
- East Africa tour — Smadj, “Dual”
- 2021
- “Smart Grid + One” premiere — Hubert Dupont
- 2019
- China tour — “Smart Grid”, Hubert Dupont
- 2011, 2013
- Asia tours — Benzine, Franck Vaillant
- 2011
- Olympia and TV shows with Garou
- 2010
- Canada tour — Dupont T
- 2003 – 2007
- Tours with Magic Malik: Japan, China, Mexico, the Caribbean, Israel, Turkey, Canada, USA, South America
- 2003
- Concert in Carthage with Saber Rebaï
- 2002
- North Sea Jazz Festival with Magic Malik; tour of Germany and France with Ismaël Isaac
- 2001 – 2002
- Tours with Paco Sery and Alpha Blondy
- 1997
- Octet — La Défense jazz competition
- 1992 – 1999
- Human Spirit
- 1991 – 1996
- Eddy Louiss, Tambours du Sud, Beigels Daisy Toast
Production and remixes
- 2019
- Production and placement of tracks with Fabrice Sioul
- 2018
- Production and composition of rapper Elea Braaz's album
- 2014
- Production of the single “J'suis quand même beau” — Jeff Panacloc & Jean-Marc
- 2013
- Compositions for Marc Antoine's album
- 2011
- Production of the single “Kolé Sé” — Marc Antoine & Fanny J
- 2008
- Remixes: “Megamix 2008” (La Compagnie Créole, Milan), “Mal de guerre” (M. Pokora, Universal), “Sambamé” and “Morenita” (Upa Dance, M6)
- 2007
- Remixes: “Douce” (Julie Zenatti), “Il y a” (Faudel, Universal); production of Rosalyne's single “Largaté” (Milan Music / M6)
- 2006
- Recording and production of the BeatVisual DVD; composition and production of the single “Si T Fier”
- 2005
- Remix of “Lucy” — Jealousy, with DJ Léo
- 2004
- Production of Alexandre's album (Star Academy); “Luis Attaque” — Luis Fernandez (composition, arrangement, production); music for a karate show at Bercy, with Fabrice Sioul
- 2003
- Remix of “Luv Me Rite” — Todd Gardner, Kimara Lovelace (Distance)
- 2002 – 2003
- “Superwoman” — Anne-Laure (Star Academy)
- 2000 – 2006
- House music tracks
- 1999
- “100 % Raï” compilation
Arrangements
- 2002
- Horns on Jay's album (Poetic Lover)
- 2002
- Album “Un simple appareil” — Melvil Poupaud (Naïve)
- 2002
- Horn arrangement — “109”, Charlélie Couture
- 2001
- String and horn arrangements — Next Evidence, Sofia
- 2000
- Horn arrangement — “Abarlorladakor”, Juan Rozoff (Barclay)
- 1999
- Programming on the single “Free Yourself” — St Preux
- 1998
- Tribute to Henri Salvador — with Enrico Macias, Philippe Lavil, Dany Brillant
Television, film, advertising
- 2014
- Backing Michel Leeb — TV promotion
- 2013
- Backing Eddy Mitchell — TV promotion
- 2011 – 2012
- “Champs-Élysées” TV show: backing Jean Reno, Lionel Richie, Petula Clark
- 2010
- Backing Garou — “Concert pour la tolérance”, Agadir
- 2009 – 2010
- Sound design with Bluefox; advertising projects with WAM
- 2005
- Disney Channel — “Starween” (the record producer's job)
- 2004
- Appearance in Erwan Cadic's film “L'escrime”
- 2002 – 2004
- Music for episodes of “Lyon Police Spéciale”, “Le Tuteur”, “Commissaire Moulin”
- 2003
- Backing Lorie — “Absolument 80” TV show
- 2001
- Musician on the soundtrack of the film “Dieu est grand, je suis toute petite”
- 1999
- “Attention les enfants regardent” — France 2
- 1998 – 2000
- Music for advertising (Carrefour…)