An otherwise mellow Monday night in Brooklyn this past fall brought the rare opportunity to see French firebrand Hadrien Feraud up close, in clinic and performance at the new Park Slope location of Matthew Garrison’s vital ShapeShifter Lab. The occasion was an off night from Hiromi’s U.S. tour in support of her latest incendiary outing, Sonicwonderland [Telarc, 2023], which features her new quartet, Sonicwonder, comprised of Feraud, drummer Gene Coye, and trumpter Adam O’Farrill. With Feraud and Coye available, Garrsion booked trumpeter Wallace Roney Jr. to somewhat replicate the touring ensemble for this intimate, informal session. Hadrien discussed and demonstrated the ways in which Garrison influenced him, and both bassists spoke about learning from French chordal master Dominique DiPiazza. Their exploratory set included Garrsion and Feraud originals, and Herbie Hancock’s “Dolphin Dance.” Afterward, I spoke to Hadrien about Hiromi’s new band and record, which