RIGMOR GUSTAFSSON AND THE JACKY TERRASSON TRIO — Close To You > Celebrating Dionne Warwick (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Wondrous transformation of well-known soul classics into sparkling fresh jazz songs." - (JAZZTHING) ACT
Tracklist :
1        Close To You 4:01
Written-By – Bacharach/David
2        Walk On By 2:42
Written-By – Bacharach/David
3        Move Me No Mountain 3:36
Written-By – Brockman, Ragovoy
4        So Amazing 4:12
Backing Vocals – Sean
Backing Vocals, Finger Snaps, Whistling – Eric, Jacky, Nils
Finger Snaps, Whistling – Rigmor
Written-By – Luther Vandross
5        I'll Never Fall In Love Again 4:09
Written-By – Bacharach/David
6        Much Too Much 3:55
Written-By – Diane Warren
7        Odds And Ends 2:39
Written-By – Bacharach/David
8        Alfie 4:09
Written-By – Bacharach/David
9        What The World Needs Now 3:37
Written-By – Bacharach/David
10        Windows Of The World 4:52
Written-By – Bacharach/David
11        Always Something There To Remind Me 2:21
Written-By – Bacharach/David
12        Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head 3:06
Written-By – Bacharach/David
13        I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself 3:46
Written-By – Bacharach/David
14        World Of My Dreams 3:33
Written-By – Creed, Bell
Credits :
Rigmor Gustafsson - Vocals
Jacky Terrasson - Grand Piano & Fender Rhodes
Sean Smith - Doublebass
Eric Harland -Yamaha Drums, Percussion
Nils Landgren - Trombone

JACKY TERRASSON QUARTET — "What's New" (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :  

JACKY TERRASSON — Reach (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The talented young pianist Jacky Terrasson and his trio (with bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker) find something new to say on a few standards (including a rare up-tempo version of "For Sentimental Reasons") and introduce five of Terrasson's originals. Although he has does not have an original style yet, Terrasson displays a great deal of potential for the future. Highlights include "I Should Care," "Just One of Those Things," and a medley of his "Reach" with "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

THE JACKY TERRASSON JAZZ TRIO WITH LEON PARKER & UGONNA OKEGWO — Lover Man (1993-1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Jacky Terrasson finds new routes into familiar compositions on these 1993 sessions for the Japanese Venus label. Well accompanied by bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker, the pianist dives head first into a rousing, if unusual version of Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee," initially kicking off an explosive vamp to play against its theme, though he eventually discards the vamp in favor of a more conventional, though thoroughly post-bop approach to this bop classic. Likewise, Terrasson introduces Miles Davis with a good bit of drama, even if he is more direct in his improvised introduction than Bill Evans was in his final years. The pianist's arrangement of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" is particularly haunting, with his surprising chords in the bassline, then eases up a bit as he gets into a funky mood. Terrasson has just as much fun with standards like "Broadway" and "Love for Sale," while also proving himself as a promising composer with two strong originals. Ken Dryden       Tracklist & Credits :

TOM HARRELL | JACKY TERRASSON — Moon And Sand (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — What It Is (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set is a bit of a departure for pianist Jacky Terrasson who has generally been heard in acoustic trio formats. Terrasson utilizes a variety of other musicians in larger ensembles for mostly original works (other than Ravel's "Bolero"). Among his sidemen are tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker (who gets off a couple intense solos), flutist Jay Collins, Mino Cinelu on percussion and guitarist Adam Rodgers, among others; Xiomara Laugarts sings on "Better World," and on a few numbers, Terrasson plays a bit of electric piano. Overall, this set is open to the influences of world music and more funk-oriented jazz, yet Jacky Terrasson still sounds quite creative, explorative and individual. An intriguing program. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

STEFON HARRIS | JACKY TERRASSON — Kindred (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — Smile (2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Smile is a good showcase for pianist Jacky Terrasson's patented blend of mischief and mastery. A kind of companion piece to the superb A Paris (Blue Note, 2000), two tracks extend its "I love Paris" theme: the dazzling "Parisian Thoroughfare," and the luscious, dreamy "Sous le Ciel de Paris," (aka "Paris Skies"). This CD is a typically eclectic Terrasson mix, combining the classic and contemporary with formidable technique and playfulness. Terrasson personalizes the title track by infusing it with his own little theme, a kind of cowboy refrain, and giving it a smooth, propulsive flow in tricky five/four rhythm. It's a startling conception, and beautifully realized. Another show-stopper is the haunting "The Dolphin," by Brazilian composer Luis Eca, where bassist Sean Smith delivers a bold and brilliant extended solo, full of lyricism and swing. On "My Funny Valentine," the trio defies the laws of nature: they burn this overdone classic and make it rare. Elsewhere, Terrasson deranges Stevie Wonder, funking it up with Remi Vignolo's electric bass; he meditates on "Nardis" over a deep, steady groove of bass and drums, and takes an intricate, unpredictable solo journey on "Autumn Leaves." Terrasson has been called "flamboyant," but this overlooks the sensitivity in his playing. While he's known for being adventurous, he's no showoff: his respect for the music and the listener is always evident. Two more things are certain: Terrasson sounds like nobody else, and this CD is full of surprise and delight. Judith Schlesinger
Tracklist & Credits :

EMMANUEL PAHUD : JACKY TERRASSON — Into The Blue (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Emmanuel Pahud is an award-winning classical flutist who's also Principal Flute for the Berlin Philharmonic. Jacky Terrasson is an award-winning jazz pianist who's a Principal Original on the scene; uniquely playful and inventive, it's always interesting to see what he comes up with next. This time he rearranges 14 classical melodies in a jazz context. More than half are short tracks, colorful samples from jazz's favorite French Impressionists (Ravel, Faure, and Debussy)to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" (all four) and pieces by Schumann, Mozart, Paganini, Rimsky-Korsakov "Flight of the Bumblebee," Saint-Saëns, and jazz pianist Claude Bolling, who in the 70s teamed up with legendary flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal to record their own crossover tracks. Although he also respects the basic character of the music, Terrasson is more adventurous. For example, the much-beloved "Pavane" (Ravel) is still serene, but with interludes of communal passion and trio jazz, as fine bassist Sean Smith and drummer Ali Jackson provide subtle, quickly reactive support. "Bolero" is an exciting journey which obliterates all memory of the plodding and repetitious original; it features a happy Latin groove that dances under the melody, then segues seamlessly into funk and Fender Rhodes. If Pahud's improvisations are rather basic, his tone is beautiful and he swings, as does the bass/drum section, after which the whole thing goes Jamaican -- before returning to Latin. It sounds like a mishmosh in print, but it works. So does the beautiful "Apres un Reve," which conjures the countryside of southern France where the CD was recorded, and "Jimbo's Lullaby," which originally described a lumbering elephant, but is meditative and nearly Oriental here. On "Marche Turque," Mozart meets reggae and humor. In fact, there's wit throughout this CD, as well as imagination and top-level playing. Both classical and jazz fans will find much to enjoy. Judith Schlesinger   Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — Push (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jacky Terrasson's 11th CD and first for the Concord label is a lively affair, mostly in a trio setting with special guests spotted in, that addresses various avenues of contemporary jazz styles. Pop and Afro-Cuban or even South African flavors are sprinkled in with the technically challenging bop that the pianist excels in. Thelonious Monk Award-winning bassist from Michigan State University Ben Williams is in on this one, as well as cameo appearances from Gregoire Maret on harmonica and saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart amidst Terrasson's acoustic piano, occasional electric keyboards, and some vocalizing. Echoes of Keith Jarrett, Frank Emilio Flynn, or Abdullah Ibrahim creep in as the gifted and oftentimes brilliant Terrasson bobs and weaves through this set of originals and highly modified versions of familiar tunes. A blurring fast "Beat Bop" hopped up with synthesizer accents, the contemporary "O Cafe, O Soleil" with Cyro Baptista's percussion work and handclapping reveling in the Capetown joy of Ibrahim, and the deliberate modal soul-funk of "Morning" all showcase vastly different interests for Terrasson. The pleasant pop trio jazz of "Gaux Girl" recalls Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl," while the combination of Jackson's "Beat It" with the revered standard "Body and Soul" might seem odd until you hear Terrasson's free jazz tinkling to rubato and modal ideas, a thoroughly contemporary development, even adding a waltz tempo. There are stock or straight-laced versions of "'Round Midnight" and "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" that in this collection sound unusually common, but are played with a high degree of artistry and prowess. Push is one of Terrasson's most enjoyable and diverse recordings, a fine display of how he has both grown apart from what might be musically fashionable and matured exponentially. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — Take This (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Jacky Terrasson's Impulse! Records debut, 2015's Take This, is a sophisticated showcase for his virtuoso jazz chops and eclectic musical taste. Following up his 2012 effort, Gouache, Take This finds Terrasson investigating a mix of originals and unexpected covers, many of which are infused with a strong African and Cuban rhythmic influence. Supplying much of this rhythmic intensity is Terrasson's adventurous outfit featuring bassist Burniss Travis, drummer Lukmil Perez, and Malian percussionist Adama Diarra. Together, this group is responsible for many of the album's brightest moments, with updates of such classic jazz piano numbers as Bud Powell's "Un Poco Loco," and Miles Davis' "Blue and Green," to name a few. Also collaborating with Terrasson here is French vocalist/beatboxer Sly Johnson. A soulful, gifted singer with a bent toward throaty R&B, Johnson broke through in Paris as a member of the hip-hop act Saian Supa Crew, as well as performing with established jazz artists such as trumpeter Erik Truffaz. Here, he lends his vocals, as well as his unique human beatbox technique, to several tracks, often blending his various vocal pops and ticks into the rhythm section just as any percussionist might do. It's a nifty concept that works best when Johnson is out-front on cuts like the opening "Kiff" and an inspired duo reworking of the Beatles' "Come Together," where Johnson brings to mind the similarly inclined rhythmic vocal jazz of Bobby McFerrin and Al Jarreau. Elsewhere, Terrasson and his pan-global ensemble deliver engaging takes on Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," the Paul Desmond-penned Dave Brubeck classic "Take Five," and a buoyant rendition Henri Salvador's Caribbean-infused "Maladie D'Amour." Matt Collar     Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — 53 (2019) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Marking his 53rd birthday and 25 years since his eponymous debut for Blue Note, Jacky Terrasson's 2019 studio album, 53, is an engaging, deeply nuanced set that reflects his ever-deepening artistic maturity. An inventive, technically adept "young lion", Terrasson has continued to refine his style over the years. Here he displays a broad range of rhythmic and harmonic colors. Helping him achieve this are no less than three rhythm sections including one with electric bassist Géraud Portal and drummer Ali Jackson, double-bassist Sylvain Romano and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, and double-bassist Thomas Bramerie and drummer Lukmil Perez. The result is an album of original compositions that touch upon all of Terrasson's varied musical touchstones. "The Call" is a brightly rolling opener dedicated to legendary pianist and longtime Terrasson idol Ahmad Jamal. Similarly, he pays homage to another of his main influences, Keith Jarrett, on "Kiss Jannett for Me." Elsewhere, the soulful "Babyplum" is a midtempo groover à la Ramsey Lewis and "3. Sequentia: Lacrimosa" is an introspective rendition of Mozart's requiem that brings to mind the work of pianist Bill Evans, as well as the dusky balladry of Chet Baker in his later years. Shifting gears, Terrasson draws upon his love of '70s crossover jazz with the Chick Corea-esque "This Is Mine" before swinging into the off-kilter blues of "Blues en femmes majeures." He ends by sinking into "Resilience," a ballad that evokes the poignant standard "For All We Know." While Terrasson certainly borrows inspiration from a variety of players and sources on 53, he never sounds anything less than distinctively his own. Matt Collar   Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN — Ray Brown's New "Two Bass Hits" (1992) APE (image+.cue), lossless

For this project, Ray Brown is featured in a two-bass trio with fellow bassist Pierre Boussaquet and the up-and-coming pianist Jacky Terasson. The unusual combination works quite well with Brown being the dominant solo voice and the main force behind the music. Included are such songs as "How High the Moon," "America the Beautiful," and "Bye Bye Blackbird" plus a four-song Duke Ellington medley and a three-tune medley of bossa nova songs. The frameworks are inventive, making this a disc of unusual interest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

JACKY TERRASSON — Gouache (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Jacky Terrasson's 2012 album Gouache is an eclectic, playful, and often beautiful album that showcases the pianist's lithe, technically adept jazz skills alongside a handful of guest artists. Terrasson is a gifted composer and improviser in a variety of jazz idioms, from straight-ahead, standards-based jazz to more contemporary and even avant-garde styles. He brings all of this to bear on Gouache. While Terrasson's virtuosic piano chops are the focal point of the release, it is also his choice of excellent sidemen here, including trumpeter Stephane Belmondo and bass clarinetist Michel Portal, that helps make the album such a buoyant and joyful listen. This is especially true on his ruminative version of John Lennon's "Oh My Love" and the positively swoon-inducing Erik Satie chanson "Je Te Veux," which both feature vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Winner of the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, Salvant is a gifted, nuanced singer and here, singing in both French and English, she draws upon the languid, bittersweet influence of Billie Holiday, while always keeping a smile in her voice. Jazz pianists reworking modern pop songs has become de rigueur in 21st century jazz circles, and so Terrasson's choice to cover Lennon, as well as such radio hits as Justin Bieber's "Baby" and Amy Winehouse's "Rehab," isn't in-and-of-itself unique. However, with his painterly, impressionistic style that often brings to mind a mix of such influences as Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea, Terrasson is an interesting match for this kind of pop repurposing, and his reinventions never sound anything but clever and inspired. To these ends, he turns "Baby" into a jaunty sleigh ride of song, with a euphoric '70s R&B ballad midsection. He also gives "Rehab" a slow, Horace Silver-sounding jazz-funk treatment that finds him moving from piano to Fender Rhodes. Elsewhere, Terrasson's original compositions reveal a passion for melody and groove, paired with an adventurous, flowing, stream-of-consciousness post-bop aesthetic that ultimately makes Gouache a pure joy to hear. Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1 Try To Catch Me 4:07
Composed By – Jacky Terrasson
2 Baby 3:22
Composed By – Justin Bieber
3 Je Te Veux 5:25
Composed By – Erik Satie
Lyrics By – Henry Pacory
4 Rehab 3:55
Composed By – Amy Winehouse
5 Gouache 5:20
Composed By – Jacky Terrasson
6 Oh My Love 4:48
Composed By – John Lennon
7 Mother 6:50
Composed By – Jacky Terrasson
8 Happiness 7:42
Composed By – Jacky Terrasson
9 Valse Hot 4:06
Composed By – Sonny Rollins
10 C'est Si Bon 6:05
Composed By – Henri Betti
Credits:
Bass Clarinet – Michel Portal
Double Bass – Burniss Earl Travis II
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Electric Bass – Burniss Earl Travis II
Fender Rhodes – Jacky Terrasson
Flugelhorn – Stéphane Belmondo
Percussions – Justin Faulkner (tracks: 10), Minino Garay
Piano – Jacky Terrasson
Trumpet – Stéphane Belmondo
Vocals – Cécile McLorin Salvant

JACKY TERRASSON — Mirror (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since winning the Thelonious Monk Piano competition in 1993, Jacky Terrasson has more than validated the judges' opinions with a consistently outstanding series of CDs. Mirror provides a rare opportunity to enjoy Terrasson in a solo piano setting. He recasts the old favorite from the Duke Ellington songbook by mixing a different vamp, adding an ominous tremolo and even taking breaks to tap on the piano's wood surface, while never losing his focus on its theme and delivering a fresh, exciting interpretation. The choppy setting of "Just a Gigolo" is an obvious nod to Thelonious Monk (who liked to toy with this standard) though Terrasson's take is even more adventurous and playful. The pianist's romp through "Cherokee" hints only briefly at the melody, showcasing his improvising with a variation of its chord changes in the bassline. His touching setting of "America the Beautiful" suggests hope in a time of turmoil. Terrasson's five originals also prove to be memorable performances. His rapid-fire "Mirror" is breathtaking, while his "Tragic Mulatto Blues" blends a heartfelt theme with a bit of turmoil. Jacky Terrasson's Mirror leaves a lasting reflection of his immense talent. Ken Dryden 

JACKY TERRASSON — A Paris ... (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jacky Terrasson's 1999 album, What It Is, represented something of a risk. The young pianist's first three albums were barebones trio affairs that had won him rave reviews, whereas What It Is featured additional instruments and was more slickly produced. Gone, it seemed, was the sparse, acoustic approach that had originally given Terrasson his fame. But while this new direction yielded mixed results and left some fans a bit befuddled, one had to respect Terrasson's need to grow and evolve as an artist.Terrasson does much better with his follow-up, A Paris, an homage to the city of his youth and early adulthood. While not a return to the simple piano trio format (there are five guest musicians in addition to two alternating rhythm sections), the album has a spontaneous, natural sound that was lacking from the studio-centric What It Is. What's more, A Paris is packed with new and varied ideas that work, not to mention passionate, fiery playing throughout.Only the last two tracks are originals, the fewest ever on a Terrasson album. "Rue de Lombards," a funk fragment that sounds like an in-studio improvisation, is credited to Terrasson, drummer Terreon Gully, and bassist Remi Vignolo. The rest of the tracks are Terrasson's highly personal readings of songs from French culture. Most will not be familiar to American listeners, with the possible exception of "La Marseillaise" -- the French national anthem -- and the Edith Piaf classic "La Vie en Rose," played in a calypso feel by Terrasson and percussionist Minino Gara.Guitarist Bireli Lagrene's cameos on the bluesy title track and the swinging "Que Reste-T'Il de Nos Amours?" are nothing short of brilliant. The latter, which bears an uncanny likeness to Lerner & Loewe's "Almost Like Being in Love," features Terrasson on Fender Rhodes electric piano. Saxophonist Stefano di Battista also makes two fine appearances, playing tenor on the fast, tense "Jeux Interdits" and soprano on the lively and pretty "L'Aigle Noir," one of the two originals. Both Lagrene and Battista return for the brief, full-company finale, an intoxicating funk line by Terrasson titled "Métro."
Another highlight is Terrasson resuscitating his funk version of Cole Porter's "I Love Paris," the only song by an American writer and the very one that led off Terrasson's 1994 debut album. Bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker, Terrasson's trio mates from his first three albums, both return to play on the Porter track, as well as the opening Piaf number "Plaisir d'Amour" and an exquisite reading of Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas." The latter briefly features Gregoire Maret on harmonica, who played on What It Is. Several rather short pieces are grouped right around the middle of the album, giving that part of the program a collage-like feel that can seem a bit superficial. That aside, Terrasson has pulled off something rare: a concept album that succeeds on a variety of creative levels. In the process, he's given exposure to several excellent European musicians, not to mention some beautiful French music that American audiences ought to hear. David R. Adler  
Tracklist :
1 Plaisir d'Amour 3:10
Public Domain / Traditional 
2 Les Chemins de l'Amour 4:24
Francis Poulenc 
3 Jeux Interdits 6:27
N. Yepes / Narciso Yepes 
4 A Paris 8:52
Francis Lemarque 
5 I Love Paris in the Springtime 3:10
Cole Porter 
6 Que Reste-T'il de Nos Amours? 4:20
Charles Trénet 
7 Ne Me Quitte Pas 4:43
Jacques Brel 
8 La Vie en Rose 3:11
Guglielmi Luis Guglielmo 
9 Nantes 2:00
10 La Marseillaise 3:16
11 Rue des Lombards 1:08
Terreon Gully / Jacky Terrasson / Rémi Vignolo 
12 L' Aigle Noir 3:22
Barbara 
13 I Love You More 6:22
Jacky Terrasson 
14 Métro 1:31
Jacky Terrasson 
Credits 
Bass – Rémi Vignolo, Ugonna Okegwo
Drums – Leon Parker, Terreon Gully
Guitar – Bireli Lagrene
Harmonica – Grégoire Maret
Marimba – Stefon Harris
Percussion – Minino Garay
Piano, Producer – Jacky Terrasson
Saxophone – Stefano di Battista

ANNE DUCROS - Piano, Piano [2006] APE (image+.cue), lossless

There is little information about European jazz singer Anne Ducros within the liner notes to Piano, Piano, but she clearly endeared herself to each of the four guest pianists with whom she worked on her CD. She soars in the lush setting of "Never Let Me Go," where she packs an emotional punch, though her tripping over a few words slightly handicaps her interpretation of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child." One of Europe's greatest jazz pianists, Enrico Pieranunzi, joins her for the powerful rendition of "You Go to My Head" and a graceful take of "Moon and Sand." She came to the United States in order to work with Chick Corea, singing "Les Feuilles Mortes" (Autumn Leaves) in its original language in a terrific duet and adding some humorous horn-like scatting reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald on-stage. Both her lyrical "My Foolish Heart" and explosive "Body and Soul" are just as effective. Another veteran European pianist, René Urtreger, is paired with Ducros for a gently loping duet of "I Thought About You" and anchoring the rhythm section for another Ella-like scat exhibition in the swinging "Just in Time." Benoît de Mesnay, who doubles on piano and Fender Rhodes in "Four" (where she once again scats up a storm) and joins her for the swinging interpretation of "Naima," is evidently her regular accompanist. All in all, this is a very enjoyable effort.  by Ken Dryden  

Tracklist:
1. Four (Davis)
2. God Bless The Child (Holiday/Herzog Jr.)
3. You Go To My Head (Gillespie/Coots)
4. Les Feuilles Mortes (Prevert/Kosma)
5. Never Let Me Go (Evans Jr./Livingstone)
6. Gnossienne N°1 (Satie)
7. I Thought Abut You (Mercer/Heusen)
8. My Foolish Heart (Washington/Young)
9. Moon And Sand (Wilder/Palitz/Engvich)
10. Just In Time (Comden/Green/Styne)
11. Body And Soul (Sour/Heyman/Hollingworth)
12. Naima (Coltrane)
Credits 
Chick Corea, Piano
Benoit de Mesmay, Piano
Anne Ducros,, Vocals
Bob Franceschini, Saxophone
Karl Jannuska, Drums
Sal La Rocca, Double Bass
Enrico Pieranunzi, Piano
Manhu Roche, Drums
Jacky Terrasson, Piano
René Urtreger, Piano

ANNE DUCROS - Piano, Piano

 [2006] Dreyfus / APE (image+.cue), lossless

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