Requisites

Byrd in Paris, Volume 1 ~ The Donald Byrd Quintet Featuring Bobby Jaspar | By Eddie Carter

The Donald Byrd Quintet enters this morning’s spotlight with Byrd in Paris, Volume 1 (Brunswick 87 903), the first of two albums taken from the group’s 1958 appearance at The Olympia Theatre. Its companion release is Parisian Thoroughfare, and both were recorded at the conclusion of the quintet’s tour to Europe. Byrd in Paris was initially a French release in 1958 and would make its way to the U.S. two years later. The personnel is Donald Byrd (tracks: A1, A2, B3) on trumpet, Bobby Jaspar on flute (B1) and tenor sax (A1, A2, B3), Walter Davis Jr. on piano, Doug Watkins on double bass, and Art Taylor (A1, A2, B2, B3) on drums. My copy is the 2014 Sam Records French Mono audiophile reissue, sharing the original catalog number.

The set opens with Dear Old Stockholm, and as the song begins, Donald is off in the distance behind the quintet. He brings the horn into the forefront as he walks to the microphone, and the ensemble completes the melody. Bobby opens with a marvelous first solo. Donald is equally loose and free in the following reading. Doug offers one of the song’s best musical moments in the closing statement preceding the theme’s reprise and finale. Donald introduces Paul’s Pal by Sonny Rollins next and all the remaining tunes. The group begins with a mid-tempo melody. Bobby starts the solos with an easygoing statement. Donald follows with a neatly paced reading, and then Walter greets the finale like an old friend before the group takes it out.

Side Two gets underway with Bobby Jaspar on flute for his tune, Flute Blues. Bobby and Doug introduce the song’s first chorus with a two-instrument conversation before Walter joins them. Bobby dives into the opening statement with a consummate feeling. Doug finds a few new things to say in the second solo, and then Bobby and Doug are in complete agreement in the closing interpretation, leading back to the theme. The spotlight is on the rhythm section in Ray’s Idea by Ray Brown. Donald and Bobby sit this one out, and the trio works in perfect balance on the song’s speedy melody. Walter is the first to solo and puts the piano through a vigorous workout, then he and Art share an energetic exchange into the theme’s reprise, climax and audience’s approval.

The Blues Walk by Sonny Stitt is off and running from the ensemble’s theme. Donald opens at a blistering pace; then Bobby continues blowing up a storm. Walter communicates his ideas confidently next, and then Doug makes a few quick remarks. Art generates considerable heat in an aggressive conversation with Donald and Bobby, leading to the song’s climax and a huge ovation from the audience. Bruno Coquatrix produced the original session, and the reissue was remastered from the original tapes. This Sam Records audiophile reissue was also pressed at Pallas in Germany on 180 grams of audiophile vinyl, and the front and rear covers are sturdy. The album possesses an excellent soundstage, placing the listener in the audience. Also included is an additional insert with a photo of Donald Byrd.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Byrd in Paris, Volume 1. After hearing this Sam Records reissue, I’m going to revisit a few other titles I have in the library and feature them in future columns. If you’re in the mood for a live hard bop album with great tunes and tight musicianship. I invite you to consider Byrd in Paris, Volume 1 by The Donald Byrd Quintet Featuring Bobby Jaspar, on your next record treasure hunt. It’s a wonderful live album that still sounds great over six decades later and shouldn’t be missed for a spot in any jazz library!

~ Parisian Thoroughfare (Brunswick 87 904) – Source: Discogs.com ~ Dear Old Stockholm – Source: Wikipedia.org © 2024 by Edward Thomas Carter

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SOUNDS OF A&R | S.O.A.R

Fronted by vocalist April May Webb and trumpeter Randall Haywood, Sounds of A&R effortlessly weave elements of swing, cool, hard bop, and avant-garde. Paying tribute to the jazz greats while, at once, boldly embracing the future with fresh, innovative arrangements and compositions. Their repertoire often surprises the listener by featuring familiar pieces in unexpected ways, spanning various genres. S.O.A.R. captivates the audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats. The fusion of tradition and innovation defines their sound.

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SFJAZZ COLLECTIVE

Founded by SFJAZZ in 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective is an all-star ensemble and composer’s workshop that represents what’s happening now in jazz, celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2024.

Since the beginning, the Collective’s mission has been to perform newly commissioned pieces by each member and fresh arrangements of works by modern masters. Through this pioneering approach, simultaneously honoring music’s greatest figures while championing jazz’s up-to-the-minute directions, the SFJAZZ Collective embodies SFJAZZ’s commitment to jazz as a living, ever-relevant art form.

To celebrate two decades as a working ensemble, the supergroup will perform a landmark Anniversary program that both honors the history of the group and looks ahead to its future. In tribute to the artists who have been honored by the Collective over its 20-year history, as well as the world-class composers who have been a part of the ensemble, the band will revisit past original compositions and arrangements from its innovative repertoire, updated and re-imagined by this singular lineup of jazz masters. Additionally, the band will emphasize the spirit of its name by collectively composing a new suite dedicated to and inspired by the history of the ensemble.

Chris Potter ~ music director & saxophone
David Sánchez ~ saxophone
Mike Rodriguez ~ trumpet
Warren Wolf ~ vibraphone
Edward Simon ~ piano
Matt Brewer ~ bass
Kendrick Scott ~ drum

Streaming: $15.00 + fees

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MICHAEL CRUSE

Michael Cruse is a trumpeter and singer, nd the Middle School Jazz Academy Band Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Michael has performed and studied with jazz greats such as Roy Hargrove, Les McCann, JD Allen, Terence Blanchard, Javon Jackson, Lew Soloff, Wynton Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Jason Marsalis, John Fedchock, Fareed Haque, Vince DiMartino, Gail Wynters, Byron Stripling, Jeff Hamilton, John Von Ohlen, and Kevin Harris.

Michael has also performed in several groups for Bootsy Collins, KeKe Wyatt, Keisha Cole, Mike Phillips, Chantae Cann, Damian Sneed, Marc Broussard, and Clyde Brown (Drifters). Michael was also a part of the filming of “Miles Ahead” and portrayed NYC-based trumpeter and recording artist, Ernie Royal, starring Don Cheadle as Miles Davis (r. April 2016), as well as filming for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, released 2020.

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JOE GRANSDEN

Anthony Dominick Benedetto ~ August 3, 1926 – July 21, 2023, known professionally as Tony Bennett, was an American jazz and traditional pop singer. He received many accolades, including 20 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Bennett was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree and founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York. He sold more than 50 million records worldwide and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Who better to pay tribute to this legendary performer than Atlanta’s consummate jazzman, Joe Gransden!  At 42 years old, Joe has already performed worldwide and released 14 CDs under his own name. Renowned first for the hard bop approach of his trumpet, Gransden’s singing voice has been compared to that of Chet Baker and Frank Sinatra.

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