Olivier Franc, a brilliant saxophonist and worthy heir to Sidney Bechet, has traveled the world with his captivating music.
Olivier Franc, a soprano saxophonist and winner of the Sidney Bechet prize from the Académie du Jazz, plays Sidney Bechet’s personal saxophone. Olivier is the son of René Franc, clarinetist with the orchestras of Pierre Braslavsky and André Réwéliotty, who accompanied Sidney Bechet. Olivier began his career in the early 1970s before founding his own ensemble in 1976. In 1979, he received the Prix Sidney Bechet from the Académie, then won the Prix Musiciens Français du Hot Club de France in 1997 for his album “Swing Folies” and in 2012 for “Ellington Mood.” He is now recognized worldwide as Sidney Bechet’s finest disciple, as shown by his invitation from Wynton Marsalis to perform on the main stage at Jazz in Marciac and by his performances in New York and Nouvelle Orléans. While remaining faithful to the style and spirit of Sidney Bechet’s music, Olivier Franc offers fresh, personal music with original compositions. Since 2006, he has had the privilege of playing Sidney Bechet’s personal saxophone. In 2015, he performed at l'Olympia and in 2019 at Victoria Hall de Genève, two concerts greeted with standing ovations. This evening he will be accompanied by his son, Jean Baptiste Franc, a swing, stride, and blues pianist nicknamed “Little Fats” by Fats Waller’s guitarist, Al Casey. He won 1st prize at the international stride piano competition organized by the Université Ole Miss du Mississippi in May 2018. He has already had the privilege of playing with Arwell Shaw, Louis Armstrong’s double bassist, and received encouragement from Wynton Marsalis and Monty Alexander for his first CD, recorded with Count Basie’s drummer, Duffy Jackson. In 2010, he recorded an album of original compositions with Melody Federer in Hollywood, produced by singer Pat Boon. He has already performed at l'Olympia in 2015, Victoria Hall de Genève in 2019, Symphony Space de New York, and the Opéras de Dresde and Francfort in Germany. He has also recorded programs for France Musique and TSF. In 2022, a new CD: “Garner in my mind” with Yann-Lou Bertrand on double bass and Mourad Benhamou on drums. LP produced by JC Hopkins, New Yorkais composer and producer of Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux… Olivier Franc: sax Benoit Gueroult De Flamesnil: trombone Schael Michanol: drums Amaidi: double bass Jean-Baptiste Franc: piano
Price: 10 euros.
Source: paris.fr — photo: Ville de Paris