Release Date: 10 January 2004
Label: Naxos - Jazz Legends / Naxos Jazz Legends
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 636943273425
Genres: Jazz
Description
Django Reinhardt Vol.7Americans in Paris, Part OneOriginal Recordings 1935-1937In the 1930s, Europe was a haven for some ofthe top black American jazz musicians. It offeredthree main advantages. 1) It was an escape fromthe institutional racism of the United Statesalthough Germany was to be avoided afterHitler's rise in power in 1933. 2) While thoughtof as lower class entertainment by many in theUSA, jazz musicians were treated as artists inEurope where jazz was ranked near classicalmusic in importance. 3) Being in Europe gavethe best jazz musicians an opportunity to playwith guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinistStephane Grappelli.Jean Baptiste \Django Reinhardt, who wasborn 23 January 1910 in Liverchies, Belgium, wasunquestionably the premier guitarist in jazz afterthe death of Eddie Lang in 1933. Despite onlybeing able to use two fingers on one of his handsdue to a fire in the late 1920s, he was able toconstruct powerful solos that overcame theproblems of playing a barely audible acousticguitar. Stephane Grappelli (born 26 January1908 in Paris) ranked with Joe Venuti, EddieSouth and the up-and-coming Stuff Smith asjazz's top violinist in the 1930s. Although theirpersonalities were different, with Grappelli beingsophisticated and reliable while Reinhardt lived agypsy's lifestyle and was barely literate, musicallythey made for a perfect match. Starting in 1933they worked together regularly as co-leaders ofthe Quintet Of The Hot Club Of France, a groupalso including two rhythm guitars and a bass.Some of the finest collaborations ofReinhardt and Grappelli with American greatsfrom 1935-37 are on this collection. ColemanHawkins (1904-69) was the unrivalled king ofthe tenor sax at the time. He had come to fameas a key soloist with the Fletcher HendersonOrchestra during 1923-34 where his large toneand harmonically advanced ideas made him thefirst major tenor soloist. Frustrated by the lackof progress in the fortunes of the Henderson bigband, he moved to Europe in 1934, staying forfive years and being treated like royalty.Hawkins met up with Reinhardt andGrappelli on a few occasions. Their earliestrecording was on 2 March 1935 when Hawkinswas accompanied by an all-star French orchestra(other than expatriate American trumpeterArthur Briggs) organized by violinist MichelWarlop. Grappelli switched to his firstinstrument (piano) for the occasion whileReinhardt is very much in evidence on guitar,both as a rhythm player and as a highly originalsoloist; check out his opening break on Avalon.Star Dust showcases Hawkins with the rhythmsection, displaying his tone and his way of bothcaressing and building upon the melody.The haunting Smoke Rings has the QuintetOf The Hot Club Of France effectivelyaugmented by four brass instruments. Thisversion of the Casa Loma Orchestra's themesong is a real standout. American trumpeter BillColeman (1904-81) was under appreciated andovershadowed in the U.S. but fared quite well inEurope during the 1930s. He joins Django in api
Tracklisting
Various
Waller, Fats
Waller, Fats
Venuti, Joe
Vaughan
Various Artists
Various
Various
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
