(August 2024) Episode 593 is JEAN-LUC PONTY. I came to French-born Ponty through his work with Frank Zappa, notably Hot Rats. That’s the reason I list his album of Zappa interpretations as my favorite, although not his best. I do love me some jazz violin (especially Django Reinhardt collaborator Stéphane Grappelli, with whom Ponty collaborated). Much of Ponty’s recordings are classified as jazz fusion, a genre that tends to repulse me (likely due to being over-exposed to it by high school jazz bandmates). But Ponty’s treatment of the genre is generally digestible and often enjoyable.
Favorite album: King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa
Favorite original album: Imaginary Voyage
Favorite collaboration album: Violin Summit with Stuff Smith, Stephane Grappelli, Svend Asmussen
Favorite song: Stay with Me
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: His mid-70s albums are his best, although those are heavy fusion. The early albums are closer to regular jazz and have their own charm.
Opus Project 