Michel Maurice Armand Warlop

Michel Maurice Armand Warlop was a French classical and jazz violinist who left an indelible mark on the music industry during his short but illustrious career. He was born on January 23, 1911, in Roubaix, France, and his talent for music became evident at an early age. Warlop’s father was a classical musician, and it was from him that Warlop inherited his love for music.

In 1929, at the age of 18, Warlop began his professional music career. He quickly established himself as a talented violinist and was soon performing with some of the biggest names in the jazz world. Over the next decade, Warlop would play with some of the most renowned jazz musicians of the time, including Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, and Coleman Hawkins.

In mid-1939, Warlop joined the Raymond Legrand Orchestra as a permanent member. The Raymond Legrand Orchestra was the most popular big band in France during the early to mid-1940s. Warlop’s addition to the band was a significant boost to its sound, and he quickly became a fan favorite.

Warlop’s discography is impressive, considering his relatively short career. He recorded his first album, “Jazz From Paris,” in 1935, which featured him playing with some of the most notable jazz musicians of the time. He recorded several albums with the Raymond Legrand Orchestra, including “Les Triolets,” “Swingin’ With Raymond,” and “The Best of Raymond Legrand.”

In addition to his work with the Raymond Legrand Orchestra, Warlop also recorded several albums as a solo artist, including “Michel Warlop and His Orchestra” and “Michel Warlop and His Magic Violin.” These albums showcased his virtuosic playing and his ability to seamlessly blend classical and jazz styles.

Discography

In Magma

Live/Hhaï (1975)

Üdü_Ẁüdü (1976)

As leader

Thank You Friends with Francois Cahen (Atlantic, 1978)

New World (MPS, 1979)

Surya (Inner City, 1980)

Live in Montreux (Pausa, 1980)

Fusion (JMS, 1981)

Fasten Seat Belts (JMS, 1982)

Trio (JMS, 1983)

The Kid (MPS, 1983)

Out of the Blue (Gramavision, 1985)

Rhythm & BLU (Gramavision, 1986)

Absolutely Live (JMS, 1986)

1.2.3.4 (JMS, 1987)

Au Clair de La Lune (JMS, 1989)

Lune Froide (JMS, 1991)

Colors (Nuevos Medios, 1991)

Caron/Ecay/Lockwood (JMS, 1992)

For Evans Sake (JMS, 1992)

Solal Lockwood (JMS, 1993)

Onztet de Violon Jazz (JMS, 1994)

New York Rendez-Vous (JMS, 1995)

Storyboard (Dreyfus, 1996)

Round About Silence (Dreyfus, 1998)

Omkara (Dreyfus, 2001)

Globe Trotter (Universal, 2003)

Les Mouettes (EmArcy, 2005)

Tribute to Stephane Grappelli (Dreyfus, 2006)

Le Jazz & La Diva (Ames/Harmonia Mundi 2006)

Waltz Club (EmArcy, 2006)

La Reine Soleil (Ames, 2007)

For Stephane (Ames, 2008)

Le Jazz & La Diva Opus II (Ames, 2008)

Brothers (Ames, 2009)

Apesantar (Fremeaux, 2016)

Open Doors (Ames/Okeh/Sony, 2017)