René Rene Urtreger

René Urtreger was only 20 years old and brand new to the jazz scene at the time of his debut recording, yet he was already making an impression. His tribute to Bud Powell finds him playing bop with some authority, covering some of the troubled genius' best compositions. Accompanied by bassist Benoit Quersin and drummer Jean-Louis Viale, Urtreger shows a tendency to tackle nearly everything at a moderate tempo, though it might have been that his rhythm section wasn't up to handling a faster pace. "So Sorry Please" is full of campy humor as Powell intended, though "Parisian Thoroughfare" would have benefited from a bit more risk-taking. Urtreger's two original works include the roller coaster "À la Bud" (which seems to be based on the chord changes of "Tea for Two") and the stunning ballad "Mercedes"…

Dick Katz, Derek Smith, Rene Urtreger - Jazz Piano International (1957) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit WPCR-27217}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 189 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1957, 2013 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27217 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Piano Trio

Features 24 bit digital remastering. Comes with a description. An unusual global session for Atlantic Records – an album that has John Lewis presenting work by three other musicians that he feels are ripe for wider discovery! The set's got some killer work from Rene Utreger – a key Parisian player in the postwar years, working here with dexterity that's almost at a Bud Powell level! Dick Katz is also featured on the set – with some nice colors and tones in the mix, similar to some of the work he'd go onto do for Atlantic and other labels. And perhaps the least known here is the British player Derek Smith – stepping out with a lyrical style that's captured surprisingly well here – and which makes the record a key addition to Smith's catalog.

Between René Urtreger and Agnès Desarthe the story is written in several chapters. First, their first meeting followed by regular interviews that allow the writer to collect the confidences of the pianist. From these elements she wrote a superb biography entitled "King René". In the wake of the many meetings that preceded the writing of the book, the pianist discovers the interest of Agnès Desarthe for the music she learned and practiced in her youth. From there the events are linked. During a literary festival (in Nevers) and presentations of the book (in Paris to the Duke of Lombards) the two accomplices have the opportunity to meet in music around piano and microphone.

Miles Davis - The Complete Amsterdam Concert (1957) {Celluloid 668232}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 290 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 140 Mb
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© 1957 Celluloid France | 668232
Jazz / Cool / Hard Bop / Trumpet

This two-LP set is a real rarity, a performance by trumpeter Miles Davis while he was in Europe in late 1957. Joined by drummer Kenny Clarke and three excellent French players (tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen, pianist Rene Urtreger and bassist Pierre Michelot), the same unit with which Davis recorded a French soundtrack during this period, the quintet jams through ten songs from Davis's repertoire. Although all of this music (around 56 minutes worth) could have been put on one rather than two LPs, this hard-to-find set is recommended for the rare opportunity to hear Miles Davis stretching out with these musicians.

Lionel Hampton and his French New Sound Vol. 1 (1955). Lionel Hampton joins forces with a number of top French musicians for this 1955 studio session, reissued in Verve's Jazz in Paris series. Three of the four compositions are Hampton's, swinging tunes arranged by Christian Chevalier. The first, "Voice of the North," is primarily for the leader's matchless vibes with the rhythm section, though individual soloists are featured, including fellow Americans Nat Adderley and Benny Bailey on trumpets and David Amram on French horn, as well as clarinetist Maurice Meunier and baritone saxophonist William Boucaya. It's just Hampton and the rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Guy Pedersen, and drummer Jean-Baptiste Reilles) for the long workout of "À la French"…

Stéphane Grappelli & Stuff Smith - Stuff And Steff (1965) {Gitanes Jazz Productions 4400165102 rel 2002}
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© 1965, 2002 EmArcy / Gitanes Jazz Productions / Universal | 4400165102
Jazz / Standards / Continental Jazz / Jive / Mainstream Jazz / Violin

Violinists Stéphane Grappelli and Stuff Smith performed together on a few occasions, but this 1965 studio session, first issued by Barclay, was one of the more difficult dates to acquire until Universal Music reissued it on CD in 2002, as a part of their extensive Jazz in Paris series. With a solid rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Michel Gaudry, and drummer Michel Delaporte) that pretty much sticks to a supporting role, it is clear that Smith's gritty tone rubs off on Grappelli as the session progresses.

Miles Davis - Amsterdam Concert (1957) {Lone Hill Jazz LHJ10141 rel 2005}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 290 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 141 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2005 Lone Hill Jazz | LHJ10141
Jazz / Cool / Hard Bop / Trumpet

One of the least known Miles Davis recordings around, this release contains the complete Amsterdam Concertgebouw Broadcast recorded on December 8, 1957 with the talented tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen and the René Urtreger quartet. A recording which has remained virtually unavailable on any format for decades, Lone Hill Jazz is proud to put this hidden gem back into circulation. Although the sound quality is imperfect, the outstanding performances by the musicians most notably Miles himself more than make up for it.