French jazz musician, Alain Goraguer, who composed the soundtrack for 1973 animated film, Fantastic Planet, has died at 91.
French jazz pianist and composer, Alain Goraguer, died on February 13 at 91 years old.
Born Alain Yves Réginald Goraguer on August 20, 1931 in Rosny-sous-Bois, France and raised in Nice, Goraguer became a skilled pianist, abandoning violin lessons at an early age. At twenty, the musician had a life-changing encounter with pianist Jack Diéva, who advised him to further pursue a career in music.
Goraguer relocated to Paris in adulthood, where he delved further into his passion for jazz music. In the 1950s, he met French writer, poet and musician Boris Vian, collaborating with him on music, notably for 1953 film J’irai cracher sur vos tombres (I Spit on Your Grave). Goraguer continued arranging for the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, including their 1963 collaboration “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” for French singer, France Gall, which won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. In the same year, Goraguer released his only album as a jazz musician, Go Go Goraguer.
Perhaps the most famous work in Goraguer’s catalog is his score for La Planete Sauvage or Fantastic Planet. Based on the animated film…
