ART BLAKEY — Paris Jam Session (1959-2000) RM | Serie Jazz In Paris – 40 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1959 concert in Paris by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers has been sporadically available on various labels, but this reissue in Verve's Jazz in Paris series is the best sounding and best packaged of the lot. Blakey's group of this period (Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Jymie Merritt, and Walter Davis, Jr.) is in great form during an extended workout of Morgan's intense blues "The Midget," and Dizzy Gillespie's timeless "A Night in Tunisia" is kicked off by Blakey's an electrifying solo. But it is the addition of some special guests for the first two numbers that proves to be extra special. Bud Powell, sitting in for Davis, and French saxophonist Barney Wilen, on alto rather than his normal tenor sax, are both added to the band for inspired versions of Powell's "Dance of the Infidels" and "Bouncing with Bud." Morgan's trumpet playing is outstanding throughout the concert. This is one of the essential live dates in Art Blakey's rather extensive discography. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Dance of the Infidels 12:26
Bud Powell
2     Bouncing with Bud 11:38
Gil Fuller / Bud Powell
3     The Midget 11:05
Lee Morgan
4     A Night in Tunisia 7:02
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Barney Wilen (faixas: 1, 2)
Bass – Jymie Merritt
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – Bud Powell (faixas: 1, 2), Walter Davis Jr. (faixas: 3, 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Trumpet – Lee Morgan
Nota :
Recorded live December 18, 1959 at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris
Reissue of the Fontana LP 832 692