René Urtreger, French jazz pianist and Miles Davis collaborator, dies at 92

René Urtreger, a towering figure in French jazz whose career spanned decades and included collaborations with international stars like Miles Davis, died Thursday at the age of 92. His son, Philippe Urtreger, announced his father's passing from the hospital in Mortagne-au-Perche, where the pianist had resided since 2000.

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He passed away yesterday in the early evening, around 8:30 p.m., at the hospital in Mortagne-au-Perche.

Urtreger's musical journey began in classical training but soon veered towards jazz, where his virtuosity quickly set him apart. He first met Miles Davis in his early twenties, embarking on European tours with the legendary trumpeter. A pivotal moment in his career was their collaboration on the soundtrack for Louis Malle's 1958 film "Ascenseur pour l'échafaud" (Elevator to the Gallows). Urtreger recalled the recording session as entirely improvised, a testament to the spontaneous creativity of the musicians involved. He once described Davis's approach as possessing "great class," noting a distinction between musicians who overtly express their emotions and those who convey deep sensitivity with restraint.

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There was nothing written, everything was truly improvised.

Born in Paris in 1934 to Polish Jewish parents, Urtreger's youth was shadowed by World War II, including the deportation of his mother to Auschwitz. Despite this, he forged a rich career, not only in jazz but also venturing into French chanson, working with artists like Claude François and Serge Gainsbourg. He was a founding member of the trio HUM with bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Daniel Humair, whose first album in 1960 earned the prestigious Django Reinhardt prize. Urtreger's significant contributions were recognized with a Victoire du jazz in 2000, a lifetime achievement Victoire de la musique in 2005, and the Légion d'honneur in 2010.

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For me, there are two kinds of musicians, individuals: those who vomit their despair or their pleasure, who spread themselves out, and those who have restraint, politeness, capable of conveying enormous sensitivity without needing to roll on the ground for it.