Gitanes

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kenny Barron - Other Places (1993) {Verve-Gitanes Jazz 519 699 - 2}
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© 1993 Verve / Phonogram/PolyGram / Gitanes Jazz | 519 699 - 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

In the 1990s, Kenny Barron was finally recognized as one of jazz's top pianists, recording a series of top-notch and consistently inventive releases. This CD has seven of Barron's originals in which he is teamed with Ralph Moore (tenor and soprano), vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Victor Lewis, and sometimes percussionist Mino Cinelu. These fine performances help to define the modern mainstream of the period. In addition, there are a pair of standards ("For Heaven's Sake" and a lengthy version of "I Should Care") that are played as sensitive duets with Reid. Excellent and often exquisite music.

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.

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.