Claude Bolling Big Band
60 ans !

From CB to CB with Love
In the Fifties, when Saint-Germain-des-Près was all the rage, Claude Bolling often appeared with a small group and they played pieces by his guide and master Duke Ellington. One particular jazz fan was a very regular visitor to the clubs where they played, an engineer with the Atomic Energy Commission in Saclay… and also an A&R director at a record company. His name was Franck Ténot. One day, he said to Claude Bolling, “What would you say to putting a big-band together to play Ellington’s music?”
Guess what Claude’s reply was! So, Claude Bolling took a few lessons in orchestration and counterpoint with André Hodeir, and started writing arrangements for C-Jam Blues, Caravan, Solitude and Drop me off in Harlem, plus a medley that combined thirty-three quotes from tunes by the Duke. Next, he gathered the best jazzmen around and they all went into the studio in the spring of 1956. The recordings they made received the ‘Grand Prix de l’Académie du Disque’ in France. A happy (and proud) Franck Ténot suggested to Claude that it would be a good idea to carry on… which they did, and their next recordings were: a tribute to Django Reinhardt; the music of New Orleans (incidentally their first stereo record); and some original Bolling compositions that are available today in the “Collectors” set released by Frémeaux & Associés (FA 5114).
By the beginning of the Seventies, the Orchestra was the “house band” on the shows produced for French television by Maritie & Gilbert Carpentier, and for one of these programmes Claude composed a tune of his own entitled Just Play. It made him want to write more music himself. From then on, the Big Band would start adding its chief’s original compositions to its book, and the Orchestra changed its name to “The Show-Biz Band”. It began a whole series of LPs — Swing Session (awarded a Grand Prix by the “Académie Charles Cros”), Jazz Party, Keep Swingin’, Hot Sounds, Just for Fun (issued in the Frémeaux set “Rolling with Bolling”, FA 5029) — and also kicked off a new adventure with concerts and tours in France and abroad.
The Eighties Orchestra became known quite simply as the Claude Bolling Big Band, with a logo designed by the musician and graphic artist Michel ‘Boss’ Quéraud; at the end of that decade (1989) this Claude Bolling Big Band went to New York as Ambassador for French Music during the French Revolution Bicentenary celebrations. International tours followed, taking the Big Band across the USA and then to South Korea, Colombia, Mexico and Thailand…
After spanning decades and continents, thanks to the artistic creativity and perseverance of its chief and the calibre of its soloists, the Claude Bolling Big Band has attained an exceptional level of musicality; and its longevity is rare, allowing the Orchestra to be honoured with such qualifications as “historic”, “legendary”, even “mythical”… But it does exist!
To date, the Orchestra has committed 21 recordings to its discography. This is the band’s 22nd album and its character is special for at least two reasons — it celebrates the Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary, and at the same time it is a tribute to Claude Bolling. While Claude may have called a halt to stage appearances in June 2014, the story of 60 years in music is such a wonderful saga that it could not end there. His lifelong companions decided to pursue the adventure and perpetuate the music opus of their “founder-chief”.
When Claude handed over his baton to Vincent Cordelette, the Orchestra’s new leader, he said, “Vincent, the orchestra’s sitting on your shoulders now.” And he entrusted the piano chair to the exceptionally inventive Philippe Milanta, whispering a moving “Merci” to him at the end of the concert he was attending. Nowadays, Claude just takes pleasure in going to hear his “guys”, as he calls them.
Vincent Cordelette — undeniably the Best! — is someone Claude has always introduced as the cornerstone of the band. Having been the drummer alongside Claude since 1985 (in crossover formats or with the Big Band, in a trio or quintet, and also in film music), Vincent has now taken charge of the Orchestra’s destiny: it was his idea to propose the recording of this tribute by all the musicians. Vincent made this album entirely at his studio, and he used all his “sticks” as musician, conductor, sound engineer & producer.
The repertoire was an obvious choice, and the selection unanimous: the pieces composed by Claude that have been played in concerts by the Orchestra, but never recorded. With one exception: “From CB to CB with Love”, already the subject of a live recording, was included for an “explosion” of the soloists’ expressive talents, with particular contributions from the band’s gifted “new” pianist, Philippe Milanta.
This Big Band has a long history, and it is also a family of musicians and loyal friends who have been united for an exceptional length of time. All those taking part in this recording are “historic”: Patrick Artero and André Villéger, for example, who were already among the personnel listed on the “Hot Sounds” album in 1976; Claude Tissendier, present on the album “Keep Swingin’” in 1978; Michel Delakian, who played on “Live at the Meridien” in 1983, or Jean-Christophe Vilain, whose uncle Gaby and father Emile were already band members back in ‘56 and ’73… There’s a long list and, alongside their names here, the year in brackets is that of their first concert or recording with the Claude Bolling Big Band. Thank you Claude, thank you “guys”!   
Manuelle PEFFERKORN-MAZERAND

We had a very serious music-theory teacher; we never imagined how much of a fan he was… until he interrupted our class to introduce us to the artist in town that same evening at the theatre in Dreux: Claude Bolling and his Big Band were playing. I’ll always remember that concert in 1977. For the young drummer and swing fan I was in those days, it was like a slap in the face! A French jazz band that sounded like the best American orchestras…
Today we’ve written another chapter in that adventure, after thirty years of musical entente with Claude; his multiple activities have taken me to the four corners of the globe in the company of the best musicians around.
Thank you, Claude, for your trust, for being so demanding in music, and for your loyalty.
When I thought of recording this orchestra in my own studio, every musician in the band jumped at the idea; they all said they wanted to do it, and it showed in the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the project. Let me take this opportunity to warmly thank them all here, including singer Faby Médina, and trombonist Fabien Cyprien for his friendship and collaboration.
My thanks also to Bruno Minisini, our engineer, for his assistance on the day we started these sessions, and to Olivier Bolling (Claude’s nephew) for trusting me with the magnificent preamps he conceived.
I also want to thank our fairy godmother Manuelle, who has been Claude’s assistant for many years; she watches over each one of us with great care in ensuring the continuity of the orchestra.
A thought for Marc…
And a hug for Blandine, Jules and Julien.
Finally, I would like Claude’s compositions on this new album to be another chance to swing onstage for a long time to come, together with this magnificent band.
Enjoy listening to it.    
Vincent CORDELETTE
© FRÉMEAUX & ASSOCIÉS 2016

01    From CB to CB with Love 1 (© Caïd Music)    6’00
02    From CB to CB with Love 2 (© Caïd Music)    8’32
03    From CB to CB with Love 3 (© Caïd Music)    5’45
04    
The Key lyrics by Nicole Croisille -
(© Warner Chappell Music France)    3’41
05    Oncle Benny (© Caïd Music)    3’48
06    Nuances (© Universal Music Publishing)    4’30
07    Sax Specialties (© Caïd Music)    3’41
08    Sunday Morning Shuffle (© Caïd Music)    4’54
09    Route d’Azur (© Warner Chappell Music France)    3’28
10    Lorraine Blues (© World Music Company)    5’50
All compositions by Claude Bolling
Saxophones - clarinettes - flûtes
Philippe Portejoie (1987)
Claude Tissendier (1977) 6 - 7 sax. alto
André Villéger (1976) 10 sax. ténor - clar
Carl Schlosser (1989) 2 sax. ténor - 9 fl.
Claudio de Queiroz (1998) 3 sax. bar
Trompettes - bugles
Christian Martinez (1984)
Guy Bodet (1988)
Michel Delakian (1982) 3 - 9
Patrick Artero (1974) 2 - 10
Trombones
Fabien Cyprien (section) - Denis Leloup (1981) 3 - 5
Damien Verherve (1996) 2 - 10
Jean-Christophe Vilain (1993) 8
Philippe Henry (1995)
Guitare : Nicolas Peslier (2010) 2
Piano : Philippe Milanta (2013) 1 - 2 - 3 - 10
Contrebasse : Pierre Maingourd (1996) 3 - 9
Batterie - percussions - direction :
Vincent Cordelette (1985) 3
Vocal : Faby Médina (2001) 4

Prise de son et mixage : Vincent Cordelette
Enregistré les 10-12-17-26-28 novembre
et 3-20 décembre 2015
Studio Cordiboy - Chérisy (28)
http://studio.cordiboy.free.fr/
Mastering : Dip Music - Didier Perrier
Visuel-Artwork : Sylvie Rochart
Logo big band : Boss
Traduction anglaise : Martin Davies
Photos : Manuelle Pefferkorn-Mazerand –
Pierre Maingourd
Fabrication et distribution : Frémeaux & Associés - www.fremeaux.com
Conception : Augustin Bondoux
Mercis à Claude, Irène, David, Alexandre Bolling - Martin Davies, Sylvie Rochart
www.claudebollingbigband.com
www.facebook.com/claudebollingbigband
Produit par Vincent Cordelette
From CB to CB with Love 1 - 2 - 3
Hommage de Claude Bolling à Count Basie, composé en 1987.
Mouvement 2 : Patrick Artero (Trp.), Damien Verherve (Trb.), Carl Schlosser (Sax. Ténor), Nicolas Peslier (Guit.).
Mouvement 3 : Denis Leloup (Trb.), Michel Delakian (Trp.), Claudio de Queiroz (Sax. Bar), Pierre Maingourd (Cb), Vincent Cordelette (Batt.) et le grand spécialiste, digne descendant de Count Basie : Philippe Milanta au piano (mouvements 1-2-3).
Claude Bolling’s tribute to Count Basie, composed in 1987. The soloists are:
Movement 2: Patrick Artero (trumpet), Damien Verherve (trombone), Carl Schlosser (tenor), Nicolas Peslier (guitar).
Movement 3: Denis Leloup (trombone), Michel Delakian (trumpet), Claudio de Queiroz (baritone), Pierre Maingourd (double bass), Vincent Cordelette (drums) and the great specialist and worthy heir to Count Basie, Philippe Milanta on piano (movements 1-2-3).
The Key
Chanson du film Try this One for Size (Sauf votre Respect) de Guy Hamilton de 1989. Chantée dans le film par Dee Dee Bridgewater et reprise dans l’arrangement pour le Big Band par Faby Medina, la voix féminine de l’orchestre depuis 2001.
The song from the film “Try this One for Size” directed by Guy Hamilton in 1989. Dee Dee Bridgewater sang it in the film; here Faby Médina, the orchestra’s female voice since 2001, takes it up in this big band arrangement.
Oncle Benny
Composition dédiée en 1992 à Benny Vasseur, compagnon musical de Claude depuis 1948 ! Aujourd’hui c’est Denis Leloup qui tient le rôle de l’Oncle Benny.
The Ellingtonian colours are a tribute to Johnny Hodges, Duke’s premier alto saxophonist. Recorded with a sextet in 1963, the big band arrangement dates from 1992 and the “Johnny Hodges” on this title is Claude Tissendier.
Nuances
Couleur Ellingtonnienne en hommage à Johnny Hodges, premier saxophone alto de Duke Ellington. Enregistré en sextet en 1963, l’arrangement pour big band date de 1992 et le Johnny Hodges de ce titre est Claude Tissendier.
The Ellingtonian colours are a tribute to Johnny Hodges, Duke’s premier alto saxophonist. Recorded with a sextet in 1963, the big band arrangement dates from 1992 and the “Johnny Hodges” on this title is Claude Tissendier.

Sax Specialties
Composition dédié par Claude Bolling à Claude Tissendier en 1993. Entre eux, les musiciens écrivent « Sax Special Tiss ».
A composition Claude Bolling dedicated to Claude Tissendier in 1993. Amongst themselves, the musicians write the title this way: “Sax Special Tiss”.
Sunday Morning Shuffle
De 1985 à 2000, le Claude Bolling Big Band animait, de l’automne au printemps, les brunchs dominicaux de l’hôtel Méridien Étoile où se retrouvait le « tout Paris ». Titre de circonstance, composé en 1994. Le trombone solo est tenu par Jean-Christophe Vilain.
Every year from 1985 to 2000, between autumn and spring, the Claude Bolling Big Band used to play Sunday brunches in the Hotel Méridien Étoile where “tout Paris” used to go. This aptly named title was composed in 1994, and the trombone solo is by Jean-Christophe Vilain.
Route d’Azur
Composition de 1961 pour le film « Les Mains d’Orlac » d’Edmond Gréville. Plusieurs décennies plus tard, Claude en a développé le thème et créé cet arrangement pour le big band. Les solistes sont Carl Schlosser (Fl), Michel Delakian (Tp) et Pierre Maingoud (b).
A 1961 composition for the Edmond T. Gréville film, “The Hands of Orlac”. Several decades later Claude developed the theme and created this arrangement for big band. The solos are by Carl Schlosser on flute, Michel Delakian on trumpet and Pierre Maingourd on double bass.
Lorraine Blues
Créé pour une émission de télévision de Jean-Christophe Averty en 1961. Solistes : André Villéger (Ts-Clar), Patrick Artero (Tp), Damien Verherve (Tb), Philippe Milanta (p).
Created in a Jean-Christophe Averty show for television in 1961. Soloists: André Villéger (tenor, clarinet), Patrick Artero (trumpet), Damien Verherve (trombone) and Philippe Milanta (piano).
(donc ne pas tenir compte du tentet ni de l’arrangement des années 90)

An excellent ragtime pianist and wonderful arranger, Claude Bolling invented crossover and composed many memorable film soundtracks. Today he’s an unavoidable figure in jazz history, with a big band that has been touring the world since 1956 with a hot swing that has made him an icon. He retired from the scene in 2014, but his hugely successful Big Band continues, with the Master watching over its destiny. The band is now led by Vincent Cordelette, whose initiative led to this album which he produced himself: all the titles are big band standards composed by Bolling, often played but never recorded until now. Claude Bolling’s “guys”, as he affectionately calls them, pay him a great tribute with their playing in this demonstration of the power in the swing machine known as the CBBB!   
Patrick Frémeaux

01. From CB to CB with Love 1    6’00
02. From CB to CB with Love 2    8’32
03. From CB to CB with Love 3    5’45
04. The Key    3’41
05. Oncle Benny    3’48
06. Nuances    4’30
07. Sax Specialties    3’41
08. Sunday Morning Shuffle    4’54
09. Route d’Azur    3’28
10. Lorraine Blues    5’50

All compositions by Claude Bolling
LE CLAUDE BOLLING BIG BAND :
Saxophones - clarinettes - flûtes : Philippe Portejoie - Claude Tissendier - André Villéger - Carl Schlosser - Claudio de Queiroz
Trompettes - bugles : Christian Martinez - Guy Bodet - Michel Delakian - Patrick Artero
Trombones : Fabien Cyprien - Denis Leloup - Damien Verherve - Jean-Christophe Vilain - Philippe Henry
Guitare : Nicolas Peslier
Piano : Philippe Milanta  
Contrebasse : Pierre Maingourd
Batterie - percussions - direction : Vincent Cordelette
Vocal : Faby Médina