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René Urtreger

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

René Urtreger was a French bebop pianist, born on 6 July 1934 in Paris to Polish Jewish immigrants. He began piano lessons at the age of four, studied at the conservatoire and played in a small Paris club, where Sacha Distel and Jean-Louis Viale also performed. In 1953 he won a piano competition for amateurs and decided to become a professional musician.

Music and breakthrough

In 1954 he accompanied the American saxophonist Don Byas and trumpeter Buck Clayton in Paris. After his military service he played at the Club Saint-Germain, on the Left Bank of the Seine, where he worked with Miles Davis and Lester Young. Young was so impressed that in 1956 Urtreger went on a short tour of Europe with him. In December 1957 he played in the group of Miles Davis that recorded the music for the film Ascenseur pour l'échafaud. In the late 1950s he played with, among others, Lionel Hampton, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins and Ben Webster. In 1961 he received the Prix Django Reinhardt.

Influence

His first album, Jazz in Paris: René Urtreger joue Bud Powell, appeared in 1955. Later he also wrote film music, including for Claude Berri. In 1977 he returned to the Paris jazz scene and played with, among others, Lee Konitz and Barney Wilen. His playing is known as sensitive, with a full, dense swing. He himself said that jazz should be music of improvisation and madness. Urtreger died on 16 July 2026.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to his album Jazz in Paris: René Urtreger joue Bud Powell and notice how a Parisian pianist makes the bebop of Bud Powell sound. Do you hear swing and space?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists