Hilary Rhoda Shoot

Originally recorded in Paris at a pair of two-day sessions in 1977 and then released as a BarClay Records LP that same year, this fine duo set features the sturdy soul-jazz organ of Rhoda Scott paired with Kenny Clarke on drums, and together they create a remarkably full sound. It is worth noting that two of the best numbers here are Scott originals, "Bitter Street," which opens the album, and the funky "Toe Jam."

Many great jazz artists have recorded, with great success, a live album at the Olympia in Paris while they visited or lived on Paris. Among these greats is Rhoda Scott. Her vast discography on Barclay is more or less still in the master tapes vaults but the "Live At The Olympia" CD, reissued on the Jazz In Paris CD program, is very good pick in the vaults. Supporting Scott playing the Hammond B3, the trio are Joe Thomas on flute/tenor saxophone and Cees Kranenburg on drums. Scott has always had great nose for mixing musical genres and tunes on her records, and "Live At The Olympia" is no exception . The trio treats the standards Bluesette", "I Hear Music", "Wade In The Water", "Equinox" and "People" with great musical inventiveness and interplay - they really tells us a new story on known themes.

Still as inspiring as ever at 83 years old, Rhoda Scott has surrounded herself here with an impressive gang of contemporary jazz Amazonians for a track aptly called Lady All Stars which follows on from her Lady Quartet created in 2004 at Jazz in Vienna, with Sophie Alour on tenor saxophone, Airelle Besson on trumpet and Julie Saury on drums. In 2007, the saxophonist Lisa Cat-Berro replaced Besson. Rhoda Scott has joined forces with Géraldine Laurent on alto saxophone, Céline Bonacina on baritone and Anne Paceo on drums, and has also brought back Airelle Besson. Here Rhoda Scott has joined forces with Géraldine Laurent on alto saxophone, Céline Bonacina on baritone and Anne Paceo on drums, and has also brought back Airelle Besson. In short, some excess power to boost the funky DNA of this brass band. Behind her blazing Hammond, the American organist, supported by this rising generation of French jazzwomen, shows above all that her Leslie has not finished turning! “Playing with these young artists has inspired me and I have learned a lot from them. After concerts, some spectators have also told me that it makes them feel good, and that we are likely role models for their daughters.”