Quincy Jones – ex Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Orchestras and a close friend of Ray Charles, lived in Paris in the late ‘50s, and at the time of ‘Live In Paris’ he was desperate to keep his eighteen-piece big band together. Consequently the bulk of the material here was recorded live at Barclay Hoche Studio (a large hall), with the first four tracks of the second CD from a performance at the Olympia Theatre, Sidemen included the likes of trumpeters Clark Terry and Benny Bailey, Phil Woods and Budd Johnson on saxes, trombonists Quentin Jackson and Melba Liston, and many others, with the repertoire reflecting this blend of youth and experience. Standards like ‘Air Mail Special’ and ‘Lester Leaps In’ sit nicely alongside (then) more modern items like ‘Moanin’, ‘Doodlin’, Horace Silver’s ‘The Preacher’ and some of Quincy’s own compositions. Hard bop, big band swing, show tunes and soul-jazz all vie with each other, and there are six ‘alternate bonus concert tracks’. Very much of its time, but those who enjoy Ray Charles’ jazz recordings will find much here that sounds familiar.
Par Norman DARWEN – BLUES & RHYTHM
Par Norman DARWEN – BLUES & RHYTHM