Simon GOUBERT
ASBA artist – Indépendant, Magma
Drummer and pianist at the crossroads of jazz, improvisation and composition, Simon Goubert is a central figure of European jazz. In collaboration with ASBA, he developed Equinoxe, a beech drum set designed as the ultimate extension of his musical language, now his instrument of choice on stage.
Born in Rennes in 1960, Simon Goubert began his musical journey at the age of three with the piano. His encounter with the drums came in 1970, following a concert by Kenny Clarke in his hometown, a decisive moment that shaped his path. He studied percussion at the Rennes Conservatory, then from 1976 at the Versailles Conservatory with Sylvio Gualda, where he also developed a strong foundation in harmony. From the outset, his musical identity was built on a rare balance between rhythmic mastery and melodic awareness.
His education was as much lived on stage as in classrooms. Paris jazz clubs, and especially the Riverbop, became his nighttime laboratory. There, he played almost daily, nurtured by the generosity and high standards of major figures such as Aldo Romano, Bernard Lubat, Jacques Thollot, Oliver Johnson and Christian Vander. In 1981, after two years with guitarist Philippe Petit’s quartet, he founded Spiral, a band deeply rooted in the Coltrane tradition. At the same time, he forged a long-lasting artistic relationship with Christian Vander, performing within Offering, later Magma and Les Voix de Magma, also taking on the role of pianist.
A central figure in European jazz, Simon Goubert has collaborated with an exceptional range of artists including Joachim Kühn, Michel Graillier, Martial Solal, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz, Jacky Terrasson, Biréli Lagrène, Louis Sclavis, Mal Waldron, John Hicks and Steve Grossman. His playing, both organic and highly refined, has led him to participate in nearly 90 recordings, including several as a leader. Through emblematic projects such as BFG, Welcome, Soft Bounds, African Jazz Roots, and numerous duos and trios, he has built a body of work widely recognized for its depth and originality.
In 1996, he became the first drummer to receive the Django Reinhardt Prize from the Académie du Jazz. He was later awarded the Grand Prix du Disque de l’Académie Charles Cros in 2020 for Nous verrons…, followed by a “Coup de cœur” distinction in 2023 for Seetu with African Jazz Roots. Alongside his work as a performer, he composes regularly for stage productions, dance and radio, collaborates with France Culture, and contributes to the artistic direction of the PeeWee! label.
As a natural extension of this singular career, Simon Goubert now works closely with ASBA. This collaboration led to an ambitious, long-term project: the Equinoxe model. Developed over nearly a year through constant dialogue and numerous visits to the workshop, Equinoxe is the result of deep listening, fine adjustments and a shared pursuit of an instrument capable of embodying Simon’s entire musical experience.
Designed as a “beast to be tamed,” Equinoxe is aimed at jazz and jazz-rock drummers, but not exclusively. The set is defined by total sonic consistency, exceptional note stability and sustain, regardless of dynamic level, from ppp to fff. Nothing is damped artificially: no muffling, allowing the shells to speak freely; no rhodoid wrap, ensuring optimal sound whatever the chosen finish.
Crafted in beech, a wood deeply rooted in the history of French drum making, Equinoxe features a highly versatile bass drum. Open, in the spirit of 1960s jazz drummers, it becomes an integral part of the tom sequence. Tuned lower and more controlled, it transforms into an efficient, punchy kick drum. The Equinoxe snare drum was conceived as a truly melodic instrument: without wires, it blends seamlessly with the toms; with wires engaged, it delivers remarkable precision and a sound that is both cracking and full-bodied, at any dynamic level.
Today, Equinoxe is Simon Goubert’s ultimate instrument on stage. A no-compromise drum set, reflecting his musical vision: demanding, expressive, and deeply alive.
“Equinoxe is a beast to be tamed: a fully consistent set, stable at any dynamic, with no artificial control. The shells speak freely, the bass drum is truly versatile, and the snare is both melodic, precise, and powerful.”