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	Kenny Clarke's Sextet Plays André Hodier Jazz in Paris GITANES 834 542-2 Bemsha swing Oblique Blue Surge Swing spring On a Riff Jeru The Squirrel Eronel 'Round about Midnight When Lights are Low Cadenze Tahiti
Roger Guerin - trumpet Billy Byers - Trombone Hubert Rostaing - Alto Armand Migiani - Baritone Martial Solal, Rene Urteger - Piano Pierre Michelot, Jean Warland - Bass Kenny Clarke - Drums Andre Hodier - Arranger Crotchet

Jazz in France received an enormous boost when Kenny Clarke decided to settle there in 1956. 'Klook' as he was known, had been one of the most important creators of the modern style of drumming, required to match the revolution that the bebop of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie had brought about. He was the original drummer with The Modern Jazz Quartet, that was originally known as The Milt Jackson Quartet. His drumming was an inspiration to the Paris jazz scene and not only for the drummers, he improved many performances by French players by the way he could swing the band. During the 1960's he ran a very musical and exciting band called the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Band, Ronnie Scott was one of the Tenor players.

This set finds him in the company of a sextet playing the arrangements of Andre Hodier. When it was released in France it had quite respectable sales and these were also repeated in the USA. No doubts Clarke's presence had an influence here, but generally the music has stood the test of time well when you consider that it was recorded 47 years ago! Andre Hodier's arrangements are interesting and musical and he also contributed original tunes on tracks 1,5 and11. Martial Solal as always is impressive on Piano, Billy Byers Trombone was always consistently good, and he has a big range and a nice round sound.

The musical programme has items from the Duke, Miles Davies, Monk, Mulligan, Dameron, Milt Jackson and Benny Carter, like all the Jazz in Paris CD's it is elegantly packaged, has good sleeve notes and represents great value for money.

Don Mather