Francy Boland; 75, Pianist, Arranger Led Top European Swing Band in 1960s and ‘70s

Francy Boland, a Belgian-born jazz pianist and arranger who joined with American expatriate drummer Kenny Clarke to form one of Europe’s leading all-star swing bands of the 1960s and early 1970s, has died. He was 75.

Boland died of cancer Aug. 12 in Geneva, according to the website jazzinbelgium.org.

The conservatory-trained Boland developed an interest in jazz through radio broadcasts during World War II. Settling in Paris in the late 1940s, he fell in with a group of acclaimed European jazz musicians, including saxophonist Bobby Jaspar. While composing and arranging for the bands of Henri Renaud and Aime Barelli, he also perfected a percussive bop style of playing that was later evident in his hard-swinging work with Clarke.

Chet Baker, the American trumpeter and singer, went to Paris in 1955 and swept Boland into his mellow jazz quintet. Several well-received recordings followed, and Boland spent a few years in the United States working on arrangements for bandleaders Count Basie and Benny Goodman.

Back in Europe, he was the chief arranger for Kurt Edelhagen, a German swing leader, but achieved his greatest fame after teaming with Clarke, the American bebop pioneer, who settled in Paris.

They recorded in an octet and then, financed by Italian producer Gigi Campi, formed a large band of American expatriates and European jazz musicians that was credited with keeping progressive swing music alive through the rock era. The 11-year experiment lasted until 1973, when after more than 30 albums and constant touring, the musicians separated.

Boland settled in Switzerland, where he continued writing music for European bands and visiting singers, including Sarah Vaughan. Working on commission in 1984, he set to music the poems of Karol Wojtyla, the Polish priest who became Pope John Paul II.

The release, “The Mystery of Man,” featuring Vaughan with a large orchestra conducted by Lalo Schifrin, was received indifferently.

Francois Boland was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Namur, Belgium. He began playing piano at age 8 and studied at a music conservatory in Liege, Belgium.

No information about survivors was immediately available.