At the Banlieues Bleues Festival 2019, France’s long-standing passion for jazz was once again illustrated by the performance of a truly original ensemble: the Orchestre National de Jazz (ONJ). Created on the initiative of former Culture Minister Jack Lang in 1986, the orchestra is testament to the strong interest from the French state and its people for this genre of music, imported from the United States in the last century. The orchestra, conducted by Fred Pallem, commemorates late saxophone superstar Ornette Coleman.
Fred Pallem is well known in the world of big bands and jazz musicians. He helped found and lead the big band Le Sacre du Tympan, named after a pun drawing from Stravinsky’s celebrated work. On this occasion, he joined forces with Frédéric Maurin, ingenious electric guitarist and artistic director of the ONJ since 2018. Their collaboration produced a result of impeccable quality, which the talent of the orchestra’s musicians brought to life. If the great Ornette Coleman were among us today, he would have surely graced their performances with a grateful and welcoming smile.
This is just one of over 500 amazing jazz concerts available on medici.tv!
