All About Jazz Podcast: Michel Portal
All About Jazz podcast is paying tribute to Michel Portal, a multi-genre artist praised as a jazz/classical master, improviser, and film composer [https://x.com/i/status/2031811026451062820].
Michel Portal, born November 27, 1935, in Bayonne, France, was a multi-instrumentalist proficient in clarinet, saxophone, and bandoneon. He died in Paris on February 12, 2026, at the age of 90. Portal's musical journey started early, influenced by his musical family and exposure to jazz on the radio after World War II. Portal's career spanned jazz, classical, avant-garde, and film music, making him "one of the architects of modern European jazz". He gained experience with bandleaders like Henri Rossotti and Perez Prado and co-founded the free improvisation group New Phonic Art. A highlight of his career included performing as a soloist in Pierre Boulez's Domaines. Portal began composing film scores in the 1980s and won three César Awards for Best Music Written for a Film. He wrote music for over 50 films, including "The Return of Martin Guerre". Portal also collaborated with funk musicians who backed Prince.
