Marcel Frèderic

Christian Escoude Octet - Gipsy Waltz (1989) {EmArcy 838 772-2}
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© 1989 EmArcy / Phonogram France | 838 772-2
Jazz / Modern Creative / Gipsy Jazz / Guitar

Christian Escoude combines elements of gypsy jazz, bop, and a contemporary flavor during these 1989 sessions that also include fellow guitarists Paul Challin Ferret, Jimmy Gourley, Frederic Sylvestre, accordion player Marcel Azzla, cellist Vincent Courtois, bassist Alby Cullaz, and either Billy Hart or Philippe Combelle on drums. The presence of so many players sometimes muddies the sound, especially when Azzla is too prominent in the mix. Several of the works were written by Escoude's late uncle, the popular accordion player/composer Gus Viseur, who had worked with Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in the Quintet of the Hot Club of France, though the switch to electric guitars and addition of percussion indicates this is not your father's gypsy music.

Christian Escoudé is born in 1947. His father, gypsy and guitarist, plays in the popular dances of the region. His father has boundless passion for Django Reinhardt that he passes on to his son and introduces him to the guitar at the age 10. Five year later Christian begins a musician's career. Christian Escoudé is part of a small jazz guitarist's familly coming out from the Manouche circle: Thus, he built up his own guitar style, a mix of be-bop approach widely tinged with Tzigane influence…

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