Michel Portal

Clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Michel Portal was the father of France's modern jazz scene. Classically trained, he worked inside and outside the canon, and championed 20th century composers. He also composed over 50 film scores including The Return of Martin Guerre (1982). His 1969 debut Our Meanings and Our Feelings is considered a French free jazz classic. In 1970, he collaborated with John Surman on Alors! In 1973, his Michel Portal Unit released À Chateauvallon - No, No But It May Be. During the 1980s and '90s, Portal delivered important outings such as Turbulence (1987) and Dockings (1998). In 2001, Portal recorded Minneapolis with assistance from Vernon Reid and Prince's side musicians. 2007's Birdwatcher registered on the jazz charts, and 2009's Baïlador featured American sidemen. In 2017, Portal collaborated with the string ensemble Quatuor Ebene on Eternal Stories. He made his final studio appearance with Miroslav Vitous and Jack DeJohnette on Mountain Call. ~ Alain Drouot