Rolf Reinhardt

An important transitional figure, Afro-American tenor/soprano saxophonist Lucky Thompson connected the swing era to the more cerebral and complex bebop style. His sophisticated approach to the tenor saxophone built off that of Don Byas and Coleman Hawkins. Thompson recorded with the likes of Bird, Miles, and Monk, and had a slew of albums under his own name. The accompanying hand-picked musicians includes organist Ingfried Hoffmann, known for his work with German star Klaus Doldinger, and percussionist/vibraphonist Sadi, who worked with Django Reinhardt, Don Byas, and Martial Solal. They fit hand-in-glove with Lucky’s musical conception.

French pianist, composer, and bandleader Martial Solal's intuitive approach to improvisation has earned him an honored place among the greatest minds in all of jazz. Thoroughly versed in the tradition from big-band swing to bop and post-bop, Solal has also composed chamber music, written scores for more than 20 films, and recorded more than 50 albums as soloist and leader.