Orchestre Franck Tortiller, Close to Heaven, a tribute to Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin


Mythical quartet of the 1970s, famous for its sense of group improvisation and for the complexity of its compositions, Led Zeppelin is one of the most important and influential bands in the history of rock and roll. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, John Bonham and Robert Plant were extraordinary inventors, creators of music whose modernity remains unparalleled.

An almost vital need to play together, musical interactions that seem to merge the instruments into one, concerts that are a “work in progress” – these remain the trade mark of Led Zeppelin. On stage – the experimental laboratory “par excellence” for these four musicians – certain pieces from their repertoire evolve into veritable musical tapestries highlighted by long stretches of improvisation, creative energy and poetry. An entire generation identified with this phenomenon, in a revolution that was both musical and social.

Close to Heaven

With Close to Heaven, Franck Tortiller offers a surprising reinterpretation of Led Zeppelin’s energetic rock and roll. The ten-piece orchestra moves into the universe of the legendry group by adopting their notion of the constant quest for news dynamics, voices and improvisation. The melodies, used as leitmotifs, speak to our collective memory and form bridges between the soloists and the orchestra. Experimenting with rhythm and with sound and electronic colors in a relentless pulsating beat, Franck Tortiller’s  Orchestra mixes free playing with a touch of nostalgia.

Guest soloist  Xavier Garcia transforms the music of Led Zeppelin with his samplers to paint an imaginative backdrop to Franck Tortiller’s orchestration.

  • Franck Tortiller: vibraphone, arrangement, conducting
  • Vincent Limouzin: vibraphone, marimba, electronics
  • Patrice Héral: drums, percussion, vocals, live samples
  • David Pouradier Duteil: drums
  • Yves Torchinsky: bass
  • Jean Gobinet: trumpet, bugle
  • Joël Chausse: trumpet, bugle
  • Eric Séva: saxophones
  • Jean-Louis Pommier: trombone
  • Michel Marre: tuba

Guest soloist

  • Xavier Garcia: keyboards, samplers

Album : « Close to Heaven », 2006, Le Chant du Monde