Michel Herr - Positive (2019/2020) [Hi-Res]

A full 30 years after the release of the album “Intuitions” on the Igloo label, pianist and composer Michel Herr come back with positivity. Welcome music where the spontaneity of jazz and the magic of strings meet in a fascinating dialogue.


“With a hundred albums to his credit, Michel Herr is internationally known for his talents as a composer, pianist and jazz arranger. These include two Igloo albums as a leader, “Intuitions” in 1989 and “Notes of Life” in 1998. He has played with jazz greats: Chet Baker, Joe Henderson, Archie Shepp, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, Randy Brecker, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans and others.

For several years, Herr has been refocusing on writing (compositions and arrangements) and started a large number of projects: big band, nonette, saxophone section, strings, chamber orchestra, choir, symphony orchestra, etc.

“Positive” presents part of this repertoire arranged for sextet and string quartet and brings together 10 high-flying creative musicians: 6 renowned jazzmen on the European scene and all leading soloists, a string quartet and singer Tutu Puoane who lays down ‘I Think of You’.

Chiseled melodies, subtle harmonies and warm grooves bring the music an organic, emotional and truly accessible character. A magician of soundscapes, Michel Herr manages to get contrasting musical universes into conversation. The colours are sometimes frank, sometimes pastels. The emotion is never far away…

Bert Joris, trumpet, flugelhorn
Paul Heller, tenor saxophone
Peter Hertmans, guitar
Nathalie Loriers, piano
Sam Gerstmans, double bass
Dré Pallemaerts, drums

Benoît Leseure, 1st violin
Pierre Heneaux, 2nd violin
Jean-François Durdu, alto
Merryl Havard, cello
Special guest:
Tutu Puoane, vocals (on “I Think of You”)