Jean Luc Ponty & Chateau de Nages

It’s Friday and time to let it out a bit. Jean Luc Ponty in an innovator and a master of the jazz/rock violin. I first heard him play in 1974 in Indianapolis when he was the violinist for Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Ponty was born in a family of classical musicians on September 29, 1942 in Avranches, France. His father taught violin, his mother taught piano. At sixteen, he entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, graduating two years later with the institution's highest award, Premier Prix. He was immediately hired by a major French symphony orchestra where he played for three years. He played with the orchestra by day, but spent his nights playing jazz in the Paris nightclubs.

In 1967, John Lewis of The Modern Jazz Quartet invited Ponty to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival where he was a smashing success and his performance led to a U.S. recording contract. His mounting critical praise and popularity across Europe attracted the attention of numerous recording artists. In 1969, Frank Zappa composed the music for Jean-Luc's solo album King Kong (Blue Note). In 1972, Elton John invited Ponty to contribute to his Honky Chateau album. A year later, Ponty emigrated with his wife and two young daughters to America, made his home in Los Angeles, and joined Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, touring across the United States. Later, he joined with John McLaughlin playing on several Mahavishnu Orchestra albums and touring with the group.  He continues to tour and record innovative jazz music and one thing I love about his groups is that the members are always virtuosos on their respective instruments. Hope you enjoy his music.

Mirage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKkMvBvyqvE

Point of no return: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cP8fWZpuqeE&feature=related

Enigmatic ocean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9XHFqCvMIY&feature=related

Mystical Adventures: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyS3uLXqrW8&feature=related

Imaginary voyage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nVRaDX6kRU&feature=related

Rhythms of hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLL55lqSEfs&feature=related

New Country: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNt1e5DH5go&feature=related

Wandering on the milky way: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW2DDmVNkes&feature=related

Duet with Chick Corea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fag9qdlESso&feature=related

No absolute time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg35ZKH2Omw&feature=related

Faith in you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXqm6ya7ym8&feature=related

In the fast lane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLLJKKNr0Kw&feature=related

Celtic steps, Jigs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa1rAuYimls&feature=related

With a French violinist, I suggest a French Rhone. Chateau de Nages, a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre, is a dense purple color The nose is full of raspberries with hints of chocolate. On the palate, blackberry and black cherry dominate. This is a powerhouse wine and perfect for a similarly powerful musician. Enjoy!

Cheers! 

Frédéric Mesnier & Mas de Libian Côtes du Rhône Bout d’Zan

Frédéric Mesnier is a french guitarist and composer, born in 1961 and living near Paris. Although he’s self-taught and considers himself a non-professionnal musician, he’s quite accomplished as a guitarist. You can find a lot of his music under the username FMGuitar on Youtube. Frédéric's guitar seems anchored in classical technique, merging a modern approach and a very melodic style. His composition, Medieval Song, has more than a million views on YouTube and has been a top rated video worldwide. I think you’re going to enjoy him.

Medieval Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cW82NEivjo&feature=related

Yesterday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ImdxPy6lg&feature=relmfu

Blue Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2f6z5jq_iE&feature=relmfu

Blues in Perigord: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3u0bBjxFQ&feature=relmfu

If You Were Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xW3i5kBRxQ&feature=relmfu

Wedding Waltz: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlKG4ASKKpM&feature=relmfu

Song for Paris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37xVdxPPtQE&feature=relmfu

Melody in D: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pCiCsGVsrw&feature=relmfu

Romance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmr5OozDKWk&feature=relmfu

Flying Guitar Melody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5s341c220&feature=relmfu

Over the Clouds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJDvQylZHRw&feature=relmfu

Medieval Dance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6w-pQcivjU&feature=relmfu

The Claw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvsDz6Qsq8Q&feature=related

Barock Progressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSdQXo-zvM&feature=relmfu

Of course, with a French guitarist, I have to recommend a French wine. While I was in the Groningen, the Netherlands recently, I dined at a superb restaurant called DePauw, also the name of my college alma mater. I was give the task of choosing the wine and the red I selected was a 2009 Mas de Libian Côtes du Rhône Bout d’Zan ($15.00 in the U.S.)

Mas de Libian is a remarkable winery owned by the same family since 1670. Hélène Thibon runs it and under her wise control Mas de Libian started estate bottling their wines rather then selling them to local wineries. A while ago, I reviewed their Khayyam and it’s a favorite of mine, although hard to find in the U.S.

The Bout d’Zan is composed of 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah with an alcohol content of approximately 14.5%. The title, “zan” is the name for a traditional French licorice candy that comes in little bits or “bouts.” Hélène’s father, Jean–Pierre, earned the moniker as he was small with deeply tanned skin as a kid.

This wine is a purple violet color with a nose fragrant with the smells of cherries and rhubarb. It’s medium to full bodied with flavors of cherry, raspberry, and casis, and subltle chocolate overtones on the long finish. Very nice wine, especially for the price. I just hope I can find it in the U.S. Enjoy!

Cheers!