From the outset, Archie Shepp's terminally misunderstood Attica Blues on Impulse during the 1970s was an attempt by the saxophonist and composer to bring together the various kinds of African American musics under one heading and have them all express the conscience of the day. His ensemble featured singers, string players, horns, drums, guitars, etc. The sounds were a Gordian knot of jazz, free music, R&B, soul, groove, and even funk. In 1979 Shepp was given the opportunity to realize the project with an ensemble of his choosing at the Palais des Glaces in Paris (New York was already courting Wimpton Marsalis). Shepp chose 30 musicians and director/conductor Ray Copeland. Among the throng were saxophonists Marion Brown, John Purcell, Patience Higgins, and John Ware.
A la tête d’un orchestre époustouflant, Christophe Dal Sasso retrace en musique deux siècles d’histoire de l’un des plus prestigieux vignobles de Bordeaux. Habitée par le souffle du jazz, cette suite pour big band restitue en onze tableaux la tumultueuse saga de Château Palmer, sous la plume fertile de l’un des grands orchestrateurs de notre époque (Yusef Lateef, Milton Nascimento, les frères Belmondo, David Liebman…). Une œuvre épique à la mesure du cru d’exception qui l’a inspirée.