Michel Legrand Archive

George Robert, sax – Plays Michel Legrand – Claves

by Audiophile Audition | Oct 21, 2016 | Jazz CD Reviews

George Robert, sax – Plays Michel Legrand – Claves 50-1607, 55:16 ***: (George Robert, alto saxophone/ Torben Oxbol; arrangements and orchestral parts) Michel Legrand at the movies, on sax. With the passing of George Robert (1960-2016), we have lost a very fine jazz musician and esteemed educator. He played with many of the top big bands, including Lionel Hampton and Phil Woods. A longish stint with Tom Harrell is also a highlight of his discography. Robert is quite a traditional alto stylist with an even, burnished tone that recalls Benny Carter. On the record under review, he demonstrates his impeccable taste in negotiating unabashedly Romantic music without indulging in effects or tumbling into mawkishness. Most jazz listeners identify Michel Legrand with his momentous 1958 big band recording. It was a real Napoleonic conquest, recruiting the top modern players in original arrangements of jazz standards. One might have thought that a Gallic Gil Evans was in the making. However, events proved otherwise. Although, Legrand returned to specifically American jazz now and again, he directed his professional attention to French film music.  He earned an enormous reputation for his soundtracks to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Summer Of ’42, and Brian’s Song. Perhaps […]