Michel Portal

clarinet, saxophone, bandoneon · 1935–2026 · Bayonne

Clarinetist and saxophonist born in Bayonne, who moved from classical music to free improvisation, co-founder of New Phonic Art. He also composed for film and received three Césars for Best Film Music.

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Styles

• Free jazz
• Third stream

Landmark tracks

• Splendid Yzlment (1971)
• Baïlador (2010)

Cited in 8 radio episodes

• May 20, 2026: Michel Portal,"Quelques notes sur la liberté" (Les Matins Jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Feb 20, 2026: Michel Portal, la liberté sur scène (Jazzlive, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Feb 16, 2026: Michel Portal, l'art de la réinvention permanente (Deli Express, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Jul 2, 2022: TSFJAZZ CHANTILLY FESTIVAL : MICHEL PORTAL & AMAZING KEYSTONE BIG BAND (Émissions spéciales, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Oct 23, 2026: MICHEL PORTAL, CHARLOTTE RAMPLING... ET MAX (Les Matins Jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Feb 16, 2026: Michel Portal, intranquille, indocile, irrésistible! (Les Matins Jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Apr 30, 2025: Michel Portal, l'électron libre, deuxième partie (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)
• Apr 29, 2025: Michel Portal, l'électron libre, première partie (Pour qui sonne le jazz, TSF Jazz, in French)

Sources

• EN : Wikipedia, Michel Portal
• EN : Jazz Music Archives, Splendid Yzlment

Facts checked against these pages (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Method and licenses