Search - Richard Galliano, Michel Portal :: Concerts

For almost a decade, the duo of Michel Portal and Richard Galliano has been one of jazz music?s most unique and captivating pairings. The juxtaposition of Galliano?s accordion ? swirling and swelling ? with Portal?s inventiveness on an array of reed instruments produces mesmerizing textures and tones that are without parallel. Galliano/Portal first documented their collaboration on "Blow Up" (Dreyfus Jazz) in 1997. A critical and commercial success, critic Les Line described it as "one of the most remarkable instrumental duets in jazz history...a glorious tête-à-tête that expands the horizons of jazz and world music." In the years that followed, the duo has thrilled concert and festival audiences throughout the world with their moody and mesmerizing music. Dramatic stylistic, sonic and rhythmic shifts keep the excitement at the highest level. They seem to breathe with one breath ? completing and complementing each other?s phrases in complete communion. "Concerts" collects many of the most dazzling moments from their over 300 live performances. Featuring new versions of their concert staples and surprises aplenty, the program exhibits the duo?s tremendous range and symbiotic connection on compositions by Galliano, Portal, Astor Piazzolla, and Hermeto Pascoal. Concerts is a thrilling document of something special and rare in the world of jazz.