Gitanes

Raymond Fol Big Band - Les 4 saisons (1965) {Gitanes 548 791-2 rel 2001}
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© 1965, 2001 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 548 791-2 | Jazz in Paris 66
Jazz / Big Band / Bop

Raymond Fol's jazz arrangement of Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" may have fallen into obscurity, but the French pianist's big band scoring of this classical favorite shows plenty of imagination. With a band of his fellow countrymen, along with expatriate Americans Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Art Taylor, he casts a variety of moods, even within individual sections. In the first movement of "Le Printemps (The Spring)" he chooses an Afro-Cuban mood, while the second shifts to a smaller chamber jazz setting, showcasing guitarist Pierre Cullaz, vibraphonist Sadi, and the leader in turn.

Art Blakey - 1958 Paris Olympia (2001) {Fontana–Gitanes Jazz 832 659-2}
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© 1958, 2001 Fontana / EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes Jazz Productions | 832 659-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

The 1958 version of the Jazz Messengers were widely recorded during their stay in Paris, but this LP does not duplicate any of the other recordings previously released. This band (with trumpeter Lee Morgan, Benny Golson on tenor, and pianist Bobby Timmons) was particularly strong, and it is quite enjoyable to hear them stretch out on such songs as "I Remember Clifford," "Moanin'," "Blues March," and "Whisper Not." Hard bop at its best, all of it propelled by the powerful drumming of Art Blakey.

Stephane Grappelli & Stuff Smith - Stuff And Steff (1965) {Gitanes Jazz Productions 4400165102 rel 2002}
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© 1965, 2002 EmArcy / Gitanes / Universal Music | Jazz In Paris Series | 4400165102
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Continental 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.

Art Blakey - Paris Jam Session (1959) {Gitanes Jazz Productions 832 692-2 rel 2000}
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© 1959, 2000 EmArcy / Gitanes Jazz Productions / Univeral Music France | 832 692-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

This 1959 concert in Paris by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers has been sporadically available on various labels, but this reissue in Verve's Jazz in Paris series is the best sounding and best packaged of the lot. Blakey's group of this period (Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Jymie Merritt, and Walter Davis, Jr.) is in great form during an extended workout of Morgan's intense blues "The Midget," and Dizzy Gillespie's timeless "A Night in Tunisia" is kicked off by Blakey's an electrifying solo.

Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton and His French New Sound, Vol.2 (1955) {Gitanes 549 406-2 rel 2000}
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© 1955, 2000 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 549 406-2
Jazz / Bop / Swing / Vibes

Lionel Hampton is joined by a number of top French jazz musicians plus Nat Adderley and American expatriate Benny Bailey for this 1955 studio session, playing Christian Chevalier's charts. "All the Things You Are" features the vibraphonist with the rhythm section, with strong solo efforts by guitarist Sacha Distel and pianist René Urtreger, along with the leader. The low-key, lengthy treatment of "I Cover the Waterfront" almost suggests a Jazz at the Philharmonic session, showcasing nice features for trumpeter Bernard Hullin, tenor saxophonist Maurice Meunier, Urtreger, and Hampton.

Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton and His French New Sound, Vol.1 (1955) {Gitanes 549 405-2 rel 2000}
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© 1955, 2000 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 549 405-2
Jazz / Bop / Swing / Vibes

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." The one standard of the date, "Crazy Rhythm," suffers from somewhat muddy sound, particularly the overly distant brass. Guitarist Sacha Distel, though admittedly intimidated by Hampton, rises to the leader's level of playing with a fine solo. Overall, this is an enjoyable if not quite essential CD by Lionel Hampton.

Hank Jones - Upon Reflection, The Music Of Thad Jones (1993) {Verve–Gitanes 314514898-2}
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© 1993 Verve / Gitanes | 314 514 898-2
Jazz / Bop / Post Bop / Piano

This recording is dedicated to the memory and compositions of the late trumpeter/composer Thad Jones, younger brother to pianist Hank Jones, older brother to drummer Elvin Jones. Out of print in the U.S. 1994 release from the Jazz piano great finds Hank, alongside George Mraz and brother Elvin, paying tribute to his younger brother, the late trumpeter Thad Jones. 10 tracks including 'Thad's Pad', 'Lady Luck' and 'Mean What You Say'.

Lou Bennett - Pentacostal Feeling (1966) {Gitanes Jazz 548 790-2 rel 2001}
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© 1966, 2001 Philips / Gitanes Jazz Productions / Universal Music | 548 790-2
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Jazz Blues / Organ

Regularly engaged in the Blue Note of the rue d'Artois in the 60s, Lou Benett often performed as a trio with guitarists Jimmy Gourley and René Thomas and drummer Kenny Clarke. With the commercial success of Amen, his first recording, Lou joined the trumpet player Donald Byrd, then student in the composition class of Nadia Boulanger, to make an album with ambitious sound architecture. Benefiting from Thomas' highly mobile guitar and Kenny Clarke's rhythmic flexibility, the Paris Jazz All Stars playing Byrd's toning arrangements, Lou Bennett's churchy organ roars powerful chords. The blues, music of the Baptist temples, permeates a carnal music, widely open to dance.

Jean-Luc Ponty - Jazz Long Playing (1964) {Gitanes–Jazz In Paris 548 150-2 rec 1964}
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© 1964, 2000 EmArcy / Gitanes / Universal Music | Jazz In Paris Series | 548 150-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Hard Bop / Standards / Violin

These 1964 sessions marked jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty's recording debut as a leader. In spite of his choice of instrument, he was mainly influenced by bop musicians (especially saxophonists and trumpeters) rather than fellow Frenchmen, swing violinist Stéphane Grappelli. At this stage in his career, he chose mostly compositions by European musicians of his generation, along with tunes American jazz compositions that had stood the test of time.