After a live concert at the Zénith, Jean-Pierre Savelli pays tribute to Michel Legrand

Jean-Pierre SAVELLI. Cet album Mangas Savelli reprend les génériques cultes des dessins animés, y compris Capitaine Flamme, Candy, Maya L’abeille, Tom Sawyer. Nous les interprétons sur scène dans le spectacle Manga Story, que nous avons joué lors du Mangazur à Toulon l’année dernière. Le livre est une autobiographie dans laquelle je partage mes souvenirs d’enfance et d’artiste.

Vous préparez un hommage à Michel Legrand ? C’est un projet qui me tient particulièrement à cœur. Michel Legrand nous a quittés il y a cinq ans, et un film lui est récemment consacré (Il était une fois Michel Legrand), auquel je participe. Mon concert hommage débute le 2 août au jardin de Baudouvin, un lieu magique à La Valette. Nous serons six sur scène, accompagnés de musiciens varois, avec 16 chansons, connues et moins connues.

Ce concert sera un vrai voyage musical ? Chaque chanson sera illustrée par des images et des vidéos projetées en arrière-plan. Je partage aussi des anecdotes sur Michel Legrand et sa carrière, pour offrir au public une véritable immersion dans son univers.

He answers questions from La Gazette du Var. Jean-Pierre SAVELLI. This album Mangas Savelli features the cult theme songs of cartoons, including Capitaine Flamme, Candy, Maya l'abeille, Tom Sawyer. We perform them on stage in the show Manga Story, which we performed during Mangazur in Toulon last year.

The book is an autobiography in which I share my memories of childhood and as an artist. Are you preparing a tribute to Michel Legrand? JPS.

This is a project that is particularly close to my heart. Michel Legrand left us five years ago, and a film was recently dedicated to him (Il était une fois Michel Legrand), in which I participate. My tribute concert begins on August 2nd at the jardin de Baudouin, a magical venue in La Valette.

There will be six of us on stage, accompanied by Var musicians, with 16 songs, both well-known and lesser-known. Will this concert be a true musical journey? JPS.

Each song will be illustrated by images and videos projected in the background. I also share anecdotes about Michel Legrand and his career, to offer the audience a true immersion into his universe.

How do you mentally prepare before going on stage? JPS. There is always a small ritual, a moment of sharing with the musicians before the concert, but it is quite spontaneous. I don't do long rehearsals, I leave room for feeling and interaction with the audience.

And indeed, interaction with the audience, is that something important to you? JPS. Essential! I love exchanging with the spectators, telling anecdotes, sharing memories. It's not just a concert where we chain songs together.

For example, for the tribute to Legrand, the musicians and I play with musical responses, without ever falling into a pure jazz concert. I want each title to be alive and accessible.

Interviewed by Pierre BEGLIOMINI. Photos Léa SAVELLI.