Martial Solal

youtube.com/watch?v=skyrJuTvJTM

Anyone here know much about Martial, an amazing pianist from Algeria that’s been recording for the past 50+ years? Martial has a Cecil Taylor-like technique without a noticeable upper limit, with one important difference. He’s in total control of what he plays. Here’s a video (not many with him on Youtube), that has a very laid back Solal (it IS a blues recording). From it, Martial’s technical command and unique improvisational approach are fairly evident.

Among his finest recordings are:

amazon.com/Martial-Solal-Tri … 097&sr=8-6

amazon.com/Sans-Tambour-Trom … 62&sr=8-18

Like the finest Oscar and Tatum recordings only with far more advanced 20th c. classical harmonic concepts. Incredible stuff.