Raymond Louis Charlie Fol, born on April 9, 1928, in Paris, France, was a French jazz pianist and composer. He began his career playing traditional jazz around 1945 with his brother Hubert Fol and trumpeter Boris Vian. Fol collaborated with notable figures such as Django Reinhardt, Chet Baker, Stéphane Grappelli, Kenny Clarke, James Moody, Roy Eldridge, and Guy Lafitte. His significant work includes Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in Jazz, a 1965 composition inspired by Vivaldi's motifs, which he performed with his big band featuring Johnny Griffin, Fats Sadi, and Art Taylor. He also toured with Duke Ellington's orchestra as a guest soloist in 1969 and 1974. Fol passed away on May 1, 1979, in Paris. His work has been recognized through the annual Raymond Fol Jazz Festival, held since 1989 in Chaudeyrolles, France. Notable posthumous releases include Les 4 Saisons (2007) and Echoes Of Harlem (2007).
