For those unaware, Franck Amsallem is an acclaimed international jazz pianist, playing, recording, and composing for over 40 years. A multi-talented musician, Franck is also much in demand as a composer/arranger, singer, and educator.

Franck has recorded ten CDs under his name and a major collaboration, New York Stories, with Joshua Redman, Roy Hargrove, and Danny Gatton on Blue Note USA. While living in New York City, Franck played as a sideman with Gerry Mulligan, Charles Lloyd, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Chambers, Maria Schneider, Kevin Mahogany and Harry Belafonte as well as Gary Bartz, Bobby Watson, Rick Margitza, Tim Ries, and Blood Sweat and Tears.

Franck is the recipient of major awards (NEA composition fellowship, Great American Jazz Piano Competition, ASCAP award, Fondation de la Vocation, FACE cultural exchange) in both the U.S. and France.

Just released in 2025 on the Continuo label, The Summer Knows (un été 42) is a trio recording featuring bassist David Wong and drummer Kush Abadey.

1. Blue Gardenia [5:14]
2. La Chanson d’Helene [4:13]
3. Unforgettable [6:08]
4. You Won’t Forget Me [6:28]
5. The Summer Knows (un été 42) [7:16]
6. Agrigento [7:16]
7. Cotton Trails [5:33]
8. It Never Was You [4:27]
9. Morning Star [7:29]
10. Disclosure [3:54]

The pianist/composer/arranger/singer, who has lived his entire life between NY and Paris, opens his divine new album on the deliciously sumptuous Blue Gardenia and the low lying piano balladry of La Chanson d’Helene and then we get brought forth the melodiously upbeat Unforgettable, the sparklingly fluid You Won’t Forget Me and the decadent The Summer Knows (un été 42).

Along next is a strident confidence shown within the driven Agrigento which is in turn backed seamlessly by the spirited Cotton Trails, the gracefully elegant It Never Was You, the set rounding out on the lovingly spirited Morning Star, coming to a close on the regally impassioned Disclosure.

The Summer Knows (un été 42) M. Legrand [Official Video]

Official Purchase Link

www.amsallem.com