Henri Renaud

Henri Renaud (20 April 1925, Villedieu-sur-Indre – 17 October 2002, Paris ) was a French jazz pianist and record company executive.

His styles reflected the decades when he was musically active: he played in the Swing, Bebop and Cool styles. He developed renown internationally when he served as an ensemble-organizing point-man for visiting jazz performers from the United States.

Renaud moved to Paris in 1946, and established a career as a jazz pianist. He joined tenor-saxophonist Jean-Claude Fohrenbach's combo. During 1949 and 1950 he accompanied Don Byas, James Moody and Roy Eldridge. In 1952 he performed at various times with Lester Young, Sarah Vaughan and Clifford Brown.

Noted American bebop trumpeter Clifford Brown made several recordings with Renaud. In 1954, Renaud visited the United States, where he recorded.

He made recordings with Milt Jackson, J. J. Johnson, Al Cohn, Oscar Pettiford, Max Roach, Frank Foster and Bob Brookmeyer.

Upon becoming an executive for French CBS' jazz division in 1964, he largely stopped his activity as a professional jazz pianist, but did occasional work as a film composer.

As Leader

 * Henri Renaud Trio, Sextet & All Stars (Vogue, 1953–55) with Jimmy Gourley, Pierre Michelot
 * Jazz in Paris - Zoots Sims & Henri Renaud (Emarcy, 1952)
 * Henri Renaud/Al Cohn Quartet (Emarcy)
 * The Henri Renaud All Stars (1955)
 * The 1954 Paris Sessions with Roy Haynes, René Thomas, Frank Foster

As Sideman

 * Clifford Brown: Quartet in Paris / Sextet in Paris (OJC, 1953)
 * Jay Cameron: The Third Herdsman - The Vogue Sessions (Vogue, 1955)
 * Al Cohn: The Birdlanders Vol.1 and Vol.2  (OJC, 1954)
 * Bobby Jaspar: Bobby Jaspar/Henri Renaud (Vogue 1953-54) with Jimmy Gourley, Fats Sadi
 * Oscar Pettiford: Sextet (Vogue, 1954)
 * Zoot Sims: Quartet & Sextet (Vogue, 1953)
 * Lucky Thompson: Jazz in Paris - Modern Jazz Group (Emarcy, 1956)