Listening to Now. Michel Portal and Minneapolis.

What could be more appropriate as a transition?  We leave for our annual pilgrimage to southern France in about 7 weeks.

The French jazz icon, from his album Minneapolis, the rhythm section from Prince's New Generation.

Plus Tony Hymas.

I saw Portal at Sur Seine; that must have been in 2003?  Happy Apple was the 'warm up' and then they all played together.  My recollection was there was some bewilderment to start with, and then they really, really cooked.

Portal opened his set playing baritone clarinet!  He smirks at us a bit, knowing that it took the audience off-guard.  Here's a bit of of the flavor of the opening.

(Does this imply that something by Francois Corneloup is next?  Soon I think.)