Claude Bolling’s last notes

The warm notes of his big band, guest on the small screen, had made him famous at the end of the 1950s. #Jazz pianist, conductor and composer #Claude #Bolling died on #December 29 in #Saint- #Cloud, at the age of 90.

#Disciple of the “#Duke”

#Born in #Cannes in 1930, he had learned the piano from his grandmother in #Nice during the #Occupation, before discovering jazz on the radio and improving his skills with #Marie-Louise #Colin, known as “Bob”, multi-instrumentalist and conductor of female orchestras of the Côte d’#Azur. #Returning in 1944 to #Paris, where his parents live, he recorded his first record at 18 and obtained his first fees in clubs in #Saint-Germain des #Prés. #In 1950, a #Parisian concert by pianist #Duke #Ellington surrounded by his big band marked him forever. #Claude #Bolling, who later became his friend, will always claim his influence.

#Burst discs

#In 1956, the young man created his own #American-style big band with well-stocked brass desks. #He immediately recorded three albums with him featuring hits from the “#Duke”, #Django #Reinhardt and #New #Orleans, the start of a flurry of recordings and concerts, soon popularized by the regular invitations of #Claude #Bolling and his orchestra to television.

#Bulimic, the artist also tackles the song, thanks to #Boris #Vian. #He then composed music for #Brigitte #Bardot, as #La #Madrague in 1962, but also for #Juliette #Greco, #Sacha #Distel, #Henri #Salvador… #He participated in the creation of a successful female quartet, #Parisiennes, for whom he will compose hits like The weather is too good to work (with lyricist #Frank Gérald).

The cinema soon called him for original film music. #Claude #Bolling wrote dozens of them, including those of #Borsalino or #Magnificent, as well as credits for the ORTF and the music of the television series The #Tiger #Brigades.

#Finally, we owe him several compositions written for great classical musicians, such as flautist #Jean-Pierre #Rampal, guitarist #Alexandre #Lagoya or trumpeter #Maurice #André. #Some, like the #Suite for #Flute and #Jazz #Piano #Trio, will experience immense success as far as the #United #States.