Hubert Rostaing; French Jazz Saxophonist, Clarinetist

Hubert Rostaing, 71, a French saxophonist and clarinet player who became a legend on the Paris jazz circuit in the 1940s. Born in Lyon, Rostaing learned to play the clarinet and saxophone during his boyhood in Algeria, and made his jazz debut in clubs in Algiers during the 1930s. After moving to Paris he caught the attention of orchestra leader Alix Combelle, for whom he performed at the celebrated Hot Club de France. With a clarinet style heavily influenced by Benny Goodman, Rostaing also performed successfully throughout the 1950s. In later years, he turned his attention to composition and writing music for films. In Paris, on Sunday of liver cancer.