Paris-born François Moutin began his music studies with guitar at age 5, then piano at 11. The acoustic bass became his most lasting passion as a teenager. After studying engineering in college and earning a doctorate in physics at 24, he pursued a career in music. Three years later, as a member of the legendary Martial Solal’s Trio, he was recognized as one of the finest young bass players in Europe. At age 29, he began co-leading the Quintet Moutin with his twin brother, drummer Louis, which evolved into the Moutin Reunion Quartet, releasing three albums, including Something Like Now (2005).
While living in Paris, Moutin worked with Martial Solal, Michel Portal, Antoine Hervé, Daniel Humair, André Ceccarelli, Éric Lelann, Jean-Michel Pilc, and Christian Escoudé. He also performed with Peter Erskine, Randy Brecker, Niels Lan Doky, Mino Cinelu, Dave Liebman, John Abercrombie, Toots Thielemans, Didier Lockwood, Larry Schneider, Aldo Romano, James Moody, Terri Lyne Carrington, Richard Galliano, Bernard Lubat, Aaron Scott, George Brown, Sunny Murray, Michel Legrand, Archie Shepp, Claude Nougaro, Trilok Gurtu, Bob Berg, Bireli Lagrène, Vladimir Cosma, Marius Constant, Markus Stockhausen, and L’Ensemble InterContemporain. He toured extensively, performing at major European jazz festivals and in over 30 countries.
Since moving to New York in 1997, Moutin has worked with Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath, Monty Alexander, Benny Powell, Don Alias, Mike Stern, Lew Soloff, Steve Kuhn, Joe Locke, Billy Hart, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Victor Lewis, Billy Drummond, Richie Beirach, Dave Liebman, Oliver Lake, Harry Belafonte, Odean Pope, James Hurt, Ari Hoenig, Jean-Michel Pilc, Rick Margitza, Frank Kimbrough, among many others. He has appeared at major U.S. jazz festivals, including Newport, Detroit, and Monterey, and at venues such as Sweet Rhythm, Jazz Standard, Birdland, Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Knitting Factory, Zinc Bar, Jazz Gallery, Tonic, Smoke, Lincoln Center, Town Hall, New York Symphony Space, and the Museum of Modern Art.
