In The Key Of Sinatra Laurent Courthaliac

• 1 Fly Me to the Moon 02:42
• 2 It Was a Very Good Year 02:20
• 3 My Way 05:48
• 4 The Good Life 03:06
• 5 Pennies From Heaven 01:48
• 6 Strangers in The Night 04:17
• 7 I've Got You Under My Skin 03:00
• 8 All Or Nothing At All 04:17
• 9 New York New York 02:25
• 10 I Thought About You 03:03
• 11 In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning 02:34
• 12 One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) 05:01
• Total Runtime 40:21

Info for In The Key Of Sinatra

Laurent Courthaliac presents a highly anticipated project: “In the Key of Sinatra,” his first album as a leader in 10 years.

In recent years, pianist Laurent Courthaliac has revealed an essential facet of his art: that of an exceptional arranger, sought after by major figures in contemporary jazz such as saxophonist Pierrick Pédron, harmonica player Yvonnick Prené, and pianist Geoffrey Keezer, among many others.

Initiated by artistic director Daniel Yvinec (former director of the ONJ, double bassist, composer, and producer), this project is an inspired tribute to the repertoire of one of the greatest performers of his time, Frank Sinatra: the great standards of the Great American Songbook. But Laurent Courthaliac does not simply revisit this essential repertoire: he captures its spirit in order to better reinvent it. The pianist displays great maturity and a rare finesse in his arrangements. Iconic standards such as “My Way,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Strangers in the Night,” and “New York, New York” are given a new lease on life, elegant, lively, and deeply swinging.

And for this unique evening, which will feature a preview of “In the Key of Sinatra”— the album is scheduled for release in fall 2026 — the trio, bringing together a highly sought-after rhythm section with Sylvain Romano on double bass and Gauthier Garrigue on drums, has chosen to invite the charismatic English singer Hugh Coltman and the singer with the powerful voice, Krystle Warren.

Laurent Courthaliac, piano
Sylvain Romano, double bass
Gauthier Garrigue, drums
Guests:
Hugh Coltman, vocals
Krystle Warren, vocals

Laurent Courthaliac
is without a doubt “the” most accomplished scholar among French musicians regarding the language of be-bop, the foundation of all modern jazz. As one can read in magazine Telerama, “Laurent Courthaliac has assimilated be-bop, he possesses its (difficule) language and all of its demanding musicality.”

Indeed, there are not many musicians that devote themselves to such a difficult art form, which requires both a very sophisticated harmonic language and a merciless sense of swing. “Barloyd,” his nickname in the jazz world, is among these rare experts.

In 2008, the pianist appeared on Brewin’ the Blues (Plus Loin Music), recorded as a duo with singer Elisabeth Kontomanou, in which he displays not only his beautiful knowledge of the American Songbook, but also his talents as an accompanist worthy of his idols, pianists Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones. More recently, he released a tribute album to baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, muse of beboppers, featuring the legendary Ron Carter on bass.

“Laurent Courthaliac knows how to instill poetry and beauty into the jazz tradition, which he masters to perfection.” (Yaron Herman)

“Laurent is one of the rare pianists who absorbed bebop language and uses it as foundation to develop his pianistic expression. Therefore follows a style where all phrases make sense and posses their own eloquence.” (Jacky Terrasson)

This album contains no booklet.