DIZZY GILLESPIE – 1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1321 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 All of the music on this CD was recorded by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in Paris during a one-month period in 1952. The first half of the set teams Gillespie with tenor saxophonist Don Byas, who had moved to Europe from the U.S. six years earlier. The sextet alternates swing standards with some boppish originals and Afro-Cuban jazz pieces. The performances are pretty concise, and one wishes that Gillespie and Byas had had opportunities to really stretch out and inspire each other. The final dozen selections mostly feature the trumpeter backed by a string orchestra with arrangements from Jo Boyer or Daniel White. The repertoire is comprised of swing tunes, but Dizzy's melodic statements are still pretty adventurous. Three of the numbers drop the strings and have Gillespie playing with the rhythm section. Although one would not call any of this music essential, it does have its moments of interest and Dizzy Gillespie fans will want to pick it up as a gap filler between more significant sessions. Scott Yanow    Tracklist :

JAMES MOODY – 1948-1949 | The Chronogical Classics – 1116 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These earliest sessions recorded by saxophonist James Moody under his own leadership, follow his initial years with Dizzy Gillespie, an association that would be maintained off and on throughout Dizzy's life. The disc starts in chronological order with eight sides recorded for Blue Note in October 1948. Arranged by composer Gil Fuller and backed by Moody's Modernists, which were, in essence, musicians comprised of Dizzy Gillespie's band including baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne, alto saxophonist Ernie Henry, Chano Pozo, and Art Blakey. These sessions were recorded in New York before Moody left for Europe, not to return to the states until years later. The remaining 14 tracks find him jamming with European musicians and fellow American expatriates including fellow tenor saxophonist Don Byas, mixing bebop and standards recorded in Zurich, Paris, Lausanne, and Stockholm for Vogue, Blue Star, and Prestige. Al Campbell  
Tracklist + Credits :

DON BYAS – 1947-1951 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1239 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The great tenor-saxophonist Don Byas moved permanently to Europe in 1946 and was largely forgotten in the U.S. However he played steadily during his decades overseas and recorded fairly frequently, even if most of the records were quite obscure in the United States. This CD is full of rarities. Byas is heard in Spain with the commercial dance band of Bernard Hilda, playing with some more jazz-oriented combos of Spaniards, and back in France during 1949-51 where his sidemen include pianists Bernard Peiffer, Art Simmons, and trumpeter Guy Longnon. The music on these dates is advanced swing that looks towards bop. Byas really tears apart some of the chord changes when he's not caressing the melodies with his huge tone, playing some miraculous ideas on "Stardust." Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

DON BYAS – 1951-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1315 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Don Byas, one of the top tenor saxophonists of the mid-'40s, permanently moved to Europe in 1946 and was largely forgotten in the U.S. However, he continued playing and recording throughout his European years, and although his records rarely made it to the United States, they sold well in Europe. On this disc Byas, who was still very much in his playing prime in the 1950s, is first featured on three numbers with the swing/Dixieland-oriented group the Saratoga Jazz Hounds, a quintet that co-stars the erratic but exciting trumpeter Guy Longnon. The remainder of the Classics CD puts the focus entirely on Byas, who is joined by four overlapping rhythm sections. Most of the selections are slow-to-medium-tempo ballads that showcase Byas' lush tone and his ability to caress melodies, resulting in a pleasing collection. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

DON BYAS – 1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1372 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The eighth volume in the complete recordings of Oklahoma native Carlos Wesley "Don" Byas consists of 23 recordings he made in Paris during the spring and summer of 1952. Nine wonderful sides recorded for the Blue Star label on April 10th of that year are classic Byas -- lots of lush ballads and an occasional kicker -- with excellent rhythm support by pianist Art Simmons, bassist Joe Benjamin, and drummer Bill Clark. The remaining tracks presented here were originally issued on the Vogue label. Six lovely melodies recorded on May 21st feature guitarist Marcel Bianchi and bassist Pierre Michelot, while eight tunes rendered on July 18th are enhanced by the addition of a vibraphone. Byas was both a master of romantic exposition and a formidable improviser at brisk tempos, comparable to Coleman Hawkins yet possessed of a spirit entirely his own. This material will be new to some of those who live outside of Europe, and for this reason the producers of the Classics Chronological Series are to be warmly commended for having brought out another excellent volume of vintage jazz music for all to hear. arwulf arwulf

Tracklist + Credits :

BILL COLEMAN – 1951-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1339 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bill Coleman is woefully unsung in jazz circles, probably because he spent half his professional career as an expatriate American jazz musician living in Europe. An excellent swing trumpeter, Coleman had an affinity for the blues as well, and this collection of sides from 1951 and 1952 shows a wonderfully lyric player on such tracks as the opener, "Bing Bang Blues," and such classic standards as "Lester Leaps In," "Pennies From Heaven," and the two-part "St. Louis Blues." Coleman shows an affable and comfortable vocal style (although its good that he never set aside his horn) as well on a couple cuts here, the telling "The Blues Jumped and Got Me" and the set closer, the immortal "St. James Infirmary." Steve Leggett
Tracklist + Credits :

DON BYAS - Laura (2000) Jazz In Paris 21 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Don Byas was a giant of the tenor sax, though his accomplishments were all but overlooked in his native land once he moved to Europe for good. This CD from Universal Music's Jazz in Paris series compiles three separate studio sessions from the early '50s, all with different rhythm sections. Most of the tracks are standard ballads, featuring the leader throughout. His expressive take of "Laura" shows off a big tone with a bit of vibrato much like Ben Webster in his later years. The one original is his snappy "Riviera Blues," a lively number likely improvised on the spot. Had he remained in the U.S., it is possible that Don Byas might have been ranked along with Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster in the top echelon of tenor saxophonists, so anyone unfamiliar with his work should seek out this very affordable collection. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Summertime 2:50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
2     Night and Day 2:36
Cole Porter
3     Easy to Love 2:58
Cole Porter
4     Where or When 2:38
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     Flamingo 2:58
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
6     Stardust 3:19
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
7     Ol' Man River 2:50
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
8     Man I Love 2:45
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     Georgia on My Mind 2:54
Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell
10     Over the Rainbow 2:51
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
11     Laura 4:16
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
12     Somebody Loves Me 2:53
Buddy DeSylva / George Gershwin / Ballard MacDonald
13     Old Folks at Home 3:19
Stephen Foster
14     Riviera Blues (Blues à la Don) 2:39
Don Byas
15     Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 2:57
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
16     I Cover the Waterfront 4:07
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
17     It's the Talk of the Town 3:27
Jerry Livingston / Al J. Neiburg / Marty Symes
18     Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody 2:56
Irving Berlin
Credits :
Double Bass – Jacques "Popof" Medvedko (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10), Joe Benjamin (faixas: 11 to 16), Roger Grasset (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 18)
Drums – Benny Bennett (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10), Bill Clark (faixas: 11 to 16), Claude Marty (faixas: 1,5 to 7,18)
Guitar – Jean-Jacques Tilché (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 18), Jean-Pierre Sasson (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10)
Piano – Art Simmons (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 11 to 16, 18), Maurice Vander (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas
Nota :
Recording dates and locations:
4 juillet 1950, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 1, 5-7, 18).
19 avril 1951, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 2-4, 8-10).
10 avril 1952, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 11-16). 

RONNELL BRIGHT / ART SIMMONS - Piano aux Champs-Elysees (2001) Jazz In Paris 61 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compilation in Verve's Jazz in Paris reissue series features two long unavailable studio sessions by two somewhat obscure pianists. Art Simmons, who recorded as a sideman with James Moody in 1949 and also appeared on discs by Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas, Trummy Young, Bill Coleman, and Clark Terry, made his recording debut as a leader in 1956 with English guitarist Terry Donahue, bassist Bill Crow, and drummer Dave Bailey. Although his cool style of playing is a bit conservative, his treatments of standards such as "My Funny Valentine," "Too Marvelous for Words," and "Nice Work if You Can Get It" are worthwhile. Ronnell Bright is primarily known for his work as pianist for Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson, though he did a few dates as a leader. This 1958 session, originally recorded for Polydor, is a trio session with bassist Richard Davis and drummer Art Morgan. The music includes compositions by Johnny Pate (with whom he made his recording debut), Dizzy Gillespie, and Nat King Cole, as well the venerable blues from the Ellington songbook, "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." But the highlight of the second half of this CD consists of Bright's originals, especially the Bud Powell-flavored "Chasing Sarah." by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Art Simmons–    Art's Blues 3:25
Written-By – Art Simmons
2    Art Simmons–    My Funny Valentine 2:36
Written-By – Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3    Art Simmons–    Hommage To Neil Hefti 3:11
Written-By – Art Simmons
4    Art Simmons–    Too Marvelous For Words 4:08
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Richard Whiting
5    Art Simmons–    The Lady Is A Tramp 3:38
Written-By – Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6    Art Simmons–    What Is The Thing Called Love? 5:28
Written-By – Cole Porter
7    Art Simmons–    Nice Work If You Can Get It 3:38
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
8    Ronnell Bright–    Sail 'Em 3:45
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
9    Ronnell Bright–    Things Ain't What They Used To Be 4:16
Written-By [Incorrectly Attributed] – Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer
Written-By [Uncredited] – Mercer Ellington
10    Ronnell Bright–    Johnnie Pate's Blues 4:28
Written-By – Johnnie Pate
11    Ronnell Bright–    R And R Groove 4:47
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
12    Ronnell Bright–    The Champ 2:32
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
13    Ronnell Bright–    Easy Listening 4:25
Written-By – Nat King Cole
14    Ronnell Bright–    Chasing Sarah 3:44
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
15    Ronnell Bright–    Doxology 6:01
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
Credits :
Double Bass – Bill Crow (faixas: 1 to 7), Richard Davis (faixas: 8 to 15)
Drums – Art Morgan (faixas: 8 to 15), Dave Bailey (faixas: 1 to 7)
Guitar – Terry Donoughue (faixas: 1 to 7)
Piano – Art Simmons (faixas: 1 to 7), Ronnell Bright (faixas: 8 to 15)
Nota :
Art Simmons part (tracks 1 to 7):
Recorded March 13, 1956 in Paris.
Reissue of the Boîte à Musique 10'' LP 320.
Ronnell Bright part (tracks 8 to 15):
Recorded June 5, 1958 in Paris.
Reissue of the Polydor LP 46 106.
Track 9 is miscredited to Johnny Mercer instead of the correct Mercer Ellington.
Duke Ellington had nothing to do with composing Things Ain't What They Used To Be, it is Mercer's song, though it was supposed won in a card game from Johnny Hodges.