BARNEY WILEN – Jazz Sur Seine (1958-2000) Jazz In Paris 26 | RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen was not quite 21 years old at the time of this meeting with Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke, three veterans of the Modern Jazz Quartet. But the young man is surprising mature and confident throughout the session, interpreting several of Django Reinhardt's compositions, along with a few by his French contemporaries and a pair of his own works. What's surprising about this session is the rare opportunity to hear Jackson exclusively as a pianist, as his playing is a bit more reserved than on vibes. The leader digs into his rhythm section's element with his original "B.B.B. (Bag's Barney Blues)," giving them a full chorus before making a convincing statement himself. The quartet's fluid arrangement of Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" swings. Percussionist Gana M'Bow is added for both "Swing 39" and "Minor Swing" to add an exotic touch. Wilen easily holds his own on his first major meeting on a record date with major American jazz stars. This excellent CD is part of Verve International's affordable midline Jazz in Paris reissue series. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Swing 39 4:29
Django Reinhardt
Percussion – Gana M'Bow
2     Vamp 4:20
Django Reinhardt
3     Ménilmontant 3:35
Charles Trénet
4     John's Groove 3:40
Raymond Fol
5     B.B.B. (Bag's Barney Blues) 6:38
Barney Wilen
6     Swingin' Parisian Rhythm (Jazz Sur Seine) 4:29
Barney Wilen
7     J'Ai Ta Main 2:21
Charles Trenet   
8     Nuages 5:52
Django Reinhardt
9     La Route Enchantée 3:06
Charles Trenet   
10     Que Reste-T-Il de Nos Amours? 2:47    
Charles Trenet   
11     Minor Swing 3:48
Stéphane Grappelli / Django Reinhardt
Percussion – Gana M'Bow
12     Epistrophy 2:45
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Double Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – Milt Jackson
Tenor Saxophone – Barney Wilen
Nota :
Recorded February 13 and 14, 1958 in Paris.
Reissue of the Philips LP 77 127.