We are very sad to announce the death of the pianist, jazzman, composer and conductor Claude Bolling who passed away on December 29, 2020 in Garches (92).

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Born in Cannes on April 10, 1930, he is one of the major figures of 20th century music.

A precocious prodigy, he won the Hot Club de France prize at 15, created his first orchestra at 16 and recorded his first record at 18.

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Disciple of Duke Ellington, he created a big jazz band in 1956. His tenacity, his talent as an arranger and the musicians who compose him make him an exceptional big band by its quality, its longevity (60 years in 2016) and his international career.

In the 1960s, Boris Vian opened the doors to variety and musical direction for many stars and stars: Brigitte Bardot, Sacha Distel, Jacqueline François, Juliette Gréco, Henri Salvador ...

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It was also at this time that Claude Bolling started composing film music, giving birth to more than a hundred scores: Borsalino, Le Magnifique, Le Mur de l'Atlantique, Flic Story, Lucky Luke, Louisiana, The Tiger Brigades, California Hotel ....

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He is the inventor of crossover music which combines a jazz trio with a classical soloist. After having composed a “Sonata for two Pianists” for Jean-Bernard Pommer, the “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio” written for and recorded with Jean-Pierre Rampal beats attendance records in the Billboard charts in the USA: 530 weeks ! and leads Claude Bolling on the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall in New York

The crossover adventure continues with Alexandre Lagoya, Pinchas Zukerman, Maurice André, Yo-Yo Ma and the English Chamber Orchestra.

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Today, many young musicians are discovering, appreciating and interpreting his compositions, in jazz as well as in film music or in Crossover Music.

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Claude Bolling was Officer of the Legion of Honor and Commander in the Order of Arts and Letters.

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