Richard Galliano & Jean-Charles Capon – Blues Sur Seine (1992)

Richard Galliano (born December 12, 1950, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes) is a French accordionist of Italian heritage.

He was drawn to music at an early age, starting with the accordion at 4, influenced by his father Luciano, an accordionist originally from Italy, living in Nice.

After a long and intense period of study (he took up lessons on the trombone, harmony, and counterpoint at the Academy of Music in Nice), at 14, in a search to expand his ideas on the accordion, he began listening to jazz and heard records by the trumpet player Clifford Brown. “I copied all the choruses of Clifford Brown, impressed by his tone and his drive, his way of phrasing over the thunderous playing of Max Roach”. Fascinated by this new world, Richard was amazed that the accordion had never been part of this musical adventure. In this period, Galliano won twice the first prize in the “world accordion cap competition” which took place in Spain (1966) and France (1967). In the Spanish competition, the participants’ duty work was “Chaconne” by the Israeli accordionist Yehuda Oppenheimer. Galliano and Oppenheimer kept up their musical collaboration and personal friendship until Oppenheimer’s death in 2012.

Some later collaborations include Astor Piazolla, George Mraz, Brigitte Fontaine, Al Foster, Juliette Greco, Charles Aznavour, Ron Carter, Chet Baker, Enrico Rava, Martial Solal, Miroslav Vitouš, Trilok Gurtu, Jan Garbarek, Michel Petrucciani, Michel Portal, Eddy Louiss, Biréli Lagrène, Sylvain Luc, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Ivan Paduart, Anouar Brahem, Wynton Marsalis, and Toots Thielemans. He was a key member of Claude Nougaro’s band for several years as a pianist and accordionist. (by wikipedia)

And here´s a pretty good album featuring Jean-Charles Capon:

What a handsome couple ! From the first bars of this duo, the obviousness of this meeting captured in 1992 is essential. The accordionist and the cellist do wonders both as soloist and as accompanist. Without the bow, Jean-Charles Capon (“the Lester Young of the cello” according to his playmate) could even pass for a double bass player. Their “blues” is obvious. However, between one of the princely instruments of the classical repertoire and the symbol of popular music, there was, a priori, a world. A unity of tone emerges, between the light mood of the musette colors and the sobs contained in a virtuoso bow. (Renaud Czarnes)

Resumption of the famous duet Capon-Galliano, where the marriage of the cello and the accordion delivers us a real little music in which the charm is constant, where the tones, of the most mixed, give a very warm accent to these reunions of time . Both of them light up the blues and we can only thrill with happiness listening to this album which will soon be 10 years old and has not aged. (Jazz Notes)

A CD published in 1992 but nevertheless appearing in the recent catalog of Frémeaux. A masterpiece that it was good to resuscitate. Accordion, yes, but not just any: that of Richard Galliano associated with the cello of Jean-Charles Capon. Curious mixture? Absolutely not. In addition to the original compositions of these two virtuoso artites (Blues sur Seine, Kitou, Neigerie, Bateau mouche), we should also mention the titles of Toots Thielemans or Henri Sauget. The icing on the cake, here are the words of Galliano, which appear in the booklet: “In the minds of a large part of the public, the accordion and the cellist belong to two very distinct social strata. Through this disc, we aim to demonstrate that these two instruments are as noble as each other ”. Bernard Deharbre)

Personnel:
Jean-Charles Capon (cello)
Richard Galliano (accordeon)

Tracklist:
01. Blues Sur Seine (Galliano) 4.44
02. For My Lady (Thielemans) 5.08
03. Un Pied Dans Le Caniveau (Capon) 4.29
04. Waltz For Debby (Evans/Lees) 3.36
05. Laura Et Astor (Galliano) 3.10
06. Kitou (Capon) 4.57
07. Les Forains (Sauguet) 4.10
08. Tears (Reinhardt) 3.53
09. Good Bye Miles (Capon) 5.00
10. Neigerie (Galliano) 4.09
11. Fou Rire (Galliano) 3.29
12. Bateau Mouche (Capon) 3.19

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In the minds of a large part of the public, the accordion and the cello belong to two distinct social strata which are very distant from each other. Through this disc we aim to demonstrate that these two instruments are as noble as each other, that their marriage is very rich, that the repertoire can be the most universal there is, and finally that the blues is a musical language in its own right, the content of which does not only go through Harlem. Paris I love you… (Richard Galliano)

More than the unusual sound mixture, it is the meeting of two musical personalities that interests me, and twelve years ago, I proposed to Richard to form this duo. How in the business impose in France an accordion which is not only musette and a cello which is not only classical? Two extraordinary instruments that want to be jazz but French. As Brassens said, “good people don’t like to follow a different route than they do”. We met in Paris and we both live near the Canal Saint-Martin. “Atmosphere, atmosphere?” Blues … on the Seine. Jean-Charles Capon

Richard Galliano (feat. Gary Burton) – L’Hymne à l’Amour (2007)

Richard Galliano studied piano and accordion at the age of 4 with his father Lucien Galliano, accordionist and teacher.
Particularly gifted and invested, he quickly entered the Nice Conservatory, directed at that time by organist Pierre Cochereau, and followed courses in harmony, counterpoint and trombone.
He won first prize in 1969 for this instrument.

He arrived in Paris in 1975 and met Claude Nougaro, becoming his friend, his accordionist and conductor until 1983.
The author and composer found each other. They get along beautifully.
From this close collaboration will be born many songs that are part of the heritage of French song, such as Allée des brouillards, Des voiliers,Vie Violence…

The second decisive meeting took place in 1980, with the Argentinean composer and bandoneonist Astor Piazzolla.
Astor strongly encouraged him to create the French “New Musette”, as he himself had
previously invented the Argentinean “New Tango”. (by

This project sounds natural for vibist Gary Burton. But to imagine a vibraphonist playing with an accordonist – it seems only Burton could have pulled it off. Drummer Clarence Penn and bassist George Mraz provide sympathic support through this heavily romanticized material.

On the opening of Astor Piazolla´s “Milonga Is Coming” Gallianp´s subtle swept couches Burton´s quiet lines. Eventually joined by the rest of the group both solists weave in and out of the song´s dreamy, melancholy mood. The formal nature to this programm continues with Piazzolla´s spritely “Triunfal”.

The song starts and stops, its moments of reflection balanced by the urge to move vigorously. On Bach´s “Sinfonia 11 In G-Moll”, Burton seems at home with the music´s counterpoint, as Galliano´s lead statement to this waltz alternates with the vibist´s soloing, this swing feel turning it into a lovely occasion for jazz.

Ballads include the titel track and “Waltz For Debby”, which the group gives an uplifting arrangment. It´s a delight to hear such virtuosic improvisors together. Galliano and Burton have chops galore, but instead of showing off, they are seduced by the material. (by John Ephland)

Personnel:
Gary Burton (vibraphone)
Richard Galliano (accordion)
George Mraz (bass)
Clarence Penn (drums)

Tracklist:
01. Milonga Is Coming (Piazzolla) 8.29
02. Triunfal (Piazzolla) 3.51
03. L’hymne à l’amour (If You Love Me) (Piaf/Monnot) 7.30
04. Sinfonia 11 In G-Moll, BWV 797 (Bach) 4.28
05. Soledad (Piazzolla) 6.59
06. Para Jobim (Galliano) 5.15
07. Operation Tango (Piazzolla) 8.28
08. Romance Del Diablo (Piazzolla) 5.50
09. Waltz For Debby (Evans/Lees) 5.55
10. Il Postino (Bacalov) 4.47

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Richard Galliano – Viaggio (1993)

I listened to this album and I have to say that it’s really really great music…I don’t understand why genious musicians like Richard Galliano and Bireli Lagrene did a beautiful CD like this one and here it seems that anybody knows it! I see no rates….

It’s out of sale, so maybe nobody was interested in buying it, but, guys, it’s ridicolous, this is one of the best album I never listened and people instead of buying it continue to buy the typical commercial albums, actually, this means that people don’t understand anything of music and melody…it’s so sad!! So, maybe me and few people can really taste how much beautiful is the music of Piazzolla, Galliano, Bireli Lagrene, and so on…..

People, stop to take the overrated and overvalued music of the most famous musicians, and begin to open the eyes and above all the ears, and listen also to this music, and music of less known musicians that have talent to sell…..

Thanks Galliano, thanks Bireli, for your music, (by Lorenzo Tosetti)

Recorded at Palais des Congrès Studios on June 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 1993.

Personnel:
Charles Bellonzi (drums)
Richard Galliano (accordion, piano)
Bireli Lagrene (guitar)
Pierre Michelot (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Waltz For Nicky (Galliano) 3.23
02. Java Indigo (Galliano) 4.52
03. Viaggio (Galliano) 7.02
04. Billie (Galliano) 7.47
05. Tango Pour Claude (Galliano) 4.09
06. Christopher’s Bossa (Galliano) 5.07
07. Coloriage (Galliano) 5.22
08. Romance (Galliano) 3..25
09. Little Muse (Baselli) 4.36
10. La Liberté Est Une Fleur (Aymé) 2.32

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Richard Galliano & Brussels Jazz Orchestra – Ten Years Ago (2009)

An energetic recording artist who since 2007 has been averaging three albums a year, accordionist Richard Galliano appears even more prolific because of the quick-fire diversity of contexts in which he places himself—solo, with his Tangaria quartet, with European and American jazz groups ranging from duos to larger lineups, and with strings. Between them, Galliano’s albums have embraced tango, jazz, chanson and the classics. In a long career as leader however, he has never recorded with a big band—until now and Ten Years Ago, his first release of 2009 and a thumping five-star triumph.

The album partners Galliano with the undersung but brimming-hot Brussels Jazz Orchestra on nine Galliano compositions and Astor Piazolla’s “Michelangelo 70.” Five of the arrangements are by Galliano, another five by trumpeter and composer Bert Joris. There are just two tangos, “Michelangelo 70” and “Tango Pour Claude,” both of them arranged by Galliano, and the main thrust of the album is the American jazz tradition tempered by chanson. In this respect Ten Years Ago resembles its immediate predecessor, Love Day: Los Angeles Sessions (Milan, 2008), made with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Mino Cinelu.

There are few precedents for accordion/big band collaborations—Gil Evans’ orchestra once featured Gil Godstein, Maria Schneider’s Gary Versace—and no generally accepted arranging parameters. Galliano and Joris approach the project from contrasting, but compatible directions. Galliano plays the orchestra as though it was an accordion, using closely harmonized brass and reed sections to recreate the intense chordal signature of the instrument and its intermittent, percussive, stabbing emphases. The transference is at its most literal in the tangos, both of which are given dramatic, full-on arrangements. On the swinging “Rue De Maubeuge” and “Take Eleven” Galliano stays a little closer to the American jazz big band tradition, with the soft and pretty “Poeme” a chanson-informed interlude.

Joris, who in addition to leading his own small groups has since the late 1970s played in and composed/arranged for many of the leading European big bands, takes a more traditional approach—but one distinguished by boundless energy and fresh-painted instrumental colors. He brilliantly succeeds in integrating the accordion into the orchestra, alternatively allowing Galliano to ride over screaming brass (as in “Teulada” and “Coloriage”), be caressed by lush, velvety woodwinds (as in “Ten Years Ago” and “Giselle”), or be driven along by raw, Middle Eastern-inspired dance rhythms (as in the closing “Taraf.”)

In his liner notes, Galliano dedicates this album to a lover who died ten years ago, and reproduces the words of Guilliaume Apollinaire’s anguished lament for lost love, “Le Pont Mirabeau,” whose words he says sum up his feeling about the music. More than this, Ten Years Ago evokes the unquenchable vitality that imbued Apollinaire’s work, and his own reading of the poem recorded in 1913. Galliano’s solos, be they close-to-berserk, two-handed whirlwinds, or, less frequently, quieter lyrical reflections, share the same luminosity. There are strong solos too from Frank Vaganee on soprano saxophone, Kurt Van Herck on tenor, Pierre Drevet on trumpet and Marc Godfroid on trombone. An altogether brilliantly realized album. (by Chris May)

Personnel:
Klaas Balijon (drums)
Bart Defoort (saxophone)
Pierre Drevet (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Ben Fleerakkers (trombone)
Richard Galliano (accordion)
Marc Godfroid (trombone)
Laurent Hendrick (trombone)
Kurt Van Herck (saxophone, flute, clarinet)
Dieter Limbourg (saxophone, clarinet, flute)
Jos Machtel (bass)
Jeroen Van Malderen (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Lode Mertens (trombone)
Serge Plume (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Nico Schepers (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Frank Vaganée (saxophone)
Bo Van Der Werf (saxophone, clarinet)

Tracklist:
01. Michelangelo 70 (Piazzolla) 3.01
02. Teulada (Galliano) 4.19
03. Ten Years Ago (Galliano) 6.29
04. Rue De Maubeuge (Galliano) 6.18
05. Tango Pour Claude (Galliano) 4.09
06. Poème (Galliano) 4.43
07. Coloriage (Galliano) 6.28
08. Giselle (Galliano) 5.50
09. Take Eleven (Galliano) 4.50
10. Taraf (Galliano) 5.58

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