On this album, Jean Charles Richard's musical and literary influences have woven a music of rare poetry. From originals by the saxophonist himself to allusions to Claude Debussy, a nod to Mussorgsky to a pass at Messiaen, 'L'toffe des Rves' reveals a range of colours and images that's inventively explored by the pianist Marc Copland, for whom these timeless pieces seem to have always been intended.

Elsewhere, the fatal destiny of Shakespeare's Ophelia (Hamlet), also taken up in Arthur Rimbaud's poem, is interpreted by Claudia Solal's clear and gentle voice and the reassuring, light tone of Vincent Sgal's cello.

Jean-Charles Richard studied at the CNSM in Paris, where he obtained a first prize in classical saxophone and a diploma in jazz. Holder of the CA of classical saxophone and jazz and a DEM of analysis, he oversees the class for specialized jazz and improvised music at the CRR of Paris, and of the Ple Suprieur Paris Boulogne-Billancourt.

Jean-Charles Richard: saxophones

Marc Copland: piano

Claudia Solal: voice

Vincent Segal: cello