Robert Jeanne Quartet - Blue Landscapes (2003)

Admit it: if we tried to tell you that Robert Jeanne had converted to Trip Hop, Electro-Jazz or the M’Base language, you’d have a hard time believing us. And you’d be right.

Since the start, the world according to Robert Jeanne has been following the same general rules and is lit by the same heavenly bodies: Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Bobby Jaspar (see the nod in his direction in “What’s New”), Al Cohn (to whom he dedicates “Mister AC”). But don’t believe that our architect is living outside time: talk to him about Michael Brecker, Joe Lovano or Rick Margitza and he will light up like the early days.

It’s just that the performer, like the man, is true to the line he chose for himself a long time ago and that still fits him perfectly: rectitude, a feel for melody, loyalty to tradition, lyricism without showiness and above the reservation that pushes him just beyond his real limits. But hasn’t that always been a sign of greatness?