Jazz-based cellist, singer, composer and improviser Helen Gillet performs her own eclectic mix of French, contemporary jazz, North Indian, blues and classical styles.

Why you should listen

With a classical musical education, Helen Gillet's training as an improviser began with North Indian Hindustani vocal ragas in 1998, which launched her into the worlds of free improvisation, jazz, funk, rock and French chansons. She has performed with Cassandra Wilson, Kid Koala, Smokey Robinson, Arcade Fire and more.

Gillet wrote and performed the music for the documentaries Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond and Living with Water, for the Louisiana State Museum’s Presbytere on Jackson Square.

Helen Gillet’s TED talk

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