(RepublicanJournal.org) – Jazz music may not be one of the top genres, but it has a dedicated following in the music sector. A recent survey showed that among the age groups, 17% of those 18 to 29 listen to it, while 18% of those 30 to 49, and 20% of those 50 to 64 enjoy the style known for improvisation in the US. One producer dedicated to revitalizing the genre recently passed away.
Jean-Philippe Allard, a record producer known for his fierce advocacy for musicians, passed away on May 17 in a Parisian hospital. According to his close friend, fellow music producer Brian Bacchus, he died from cancer. He was 67 years old.
Throughout his career, Allard was known for putting the concerns of the musician first and foremost. As far as his producing style, he considered himself a “professional listener” rather than a musician, arranger, or engineer. His unique approach to the job helped him form long-lasting relationships with the musicians he worked with. Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater once said, “His ear was always open to the artist, and he was always concerned about what was best for” them.
Allard was hired at Polygram France in 1987, where he was tasked with starting a jazz division to promote the talent at the company. He didn’t stop there, though. He expanded and started collaborating with jazz artists in the US and Japan, working with different labels to secure some of the top talent in the genre.
The producer was responsible for revitalizing the careers of many who would have otherwise fallen off the grid, as is common in the music industry. He worked with Randy Weston, Charlie Haden, and Abbey Lincoln, to name a few. Allard’s efforts and drive in the jazz sector earned him a Lifetime Achievement award in 2012 and the Bruce Lundvall Prize two years later.
Allard is survived by his wife, Christine Corbet, daughter Céline Allard, and brother Jean-Marc. He was preceded in death by his son Pablo.
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