Jazz Library Folgen

French saxophonist Michel Portal is also one of the world's great classical clarinettists, and a restless musical experimenter. In this week's programme, prior to a concert at the London Jazz Festival, Portal joins Alyn Shipton to pick some of the best examples of his recorded jazz. From his multi-tracked solo "Dajarme" via work on clarinet, soprano, alto and tenor sax to his most recent album "Baliador", selections from which he will play in London, Portal's choices are eclectic and dazzlingly virtuosic.

The saxophonist and singer Louis Jordan bridged the gap between jazz and rhythm and blues, pioneering many techniques that would be the foundation of r and b, and of rock, but always played as straight ahead jazz. Jordan produced dozens of classic recordings including "Five Guys Named Moe" and "Saturday Night Fish Fry". His discography stretches for over three decades from the mid-1930s and to pick his best work, Alyn Shipton is joined by singer Gwyneth Herbert.

The French saxophonist Barney Wilen is best known for his 1950s recordings with Miles Davis, on the score for Louis Malle's film "Lift to the Scaffold". But his work is much wider than this. After growing up in America, he fitted naturally into groups led by the drummer Roy Haynes, Art Blakey and Kenny Clarke. But he was also a towering figure in his own country's music, pioneering both jazz rock and world music influences on jazz. Tom Perchard joins Alyn Shipton to explore the high points in Wilen's recorded repertoire.