Jazz on the Left Bank & Reunion à Paris

This here is the definition of international jazz, recorded in Paris in 1956 by two relaxed, unpretentious, melodic, and well-rehearsed groups including both American and European jazz musicians. These meetings were documented in two excellent albums: “Jazz on the Left Bank” and “Réunion à Paris.”

The remarkably versatile trombonist-writer Billy Byers and pianist Martial Solal wrote these loosely swinging arrangements, and although they took care of one album each, their work blends seamlessly in the hands of a group of consistently professional musicians. Byers playing is satisfying in both albums, while Solal feeds chords almost imperceptibly, with his solos bouncing along effortlessly helped by the propelling force of Benoît Quersin’s skilled bass support.

And although the wonderful, cohesive group sound present in these two albums was significantly shaped by Byers and Solal, all their colleagues demonstrate their usual, considerable skill—the competent playing of trumpeter Dick Mills, the full sound and guts of William Boucaya on baritone, as well as the ever-present taste of drummer Wessel Ilcken on “Jazz on the Left Bank.” Jimmy Deuchar’s exciting solo work on trumpet, and Allen Eager’s flow of ideas on tenor are stimulated by the rhythm effort of Quersin once again, this time with Kenny Clarke’s drums on “Réunion à Paris.” The music in these two albums is an invigorating set of flowing originals and arrangements that make an out of the ordinary listening experience.

Track Listing:
Jazz on the Left Bank: 1. Salute to Vo - 4:17   2. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise - 3:24   3. There Will Never Be Another You - 3:36   4. Jaguar - 2:45   5. The Long Nite - 3:50   6. Patti’s N.Y. Blues - 3:15   7. I Guess - 2:44   8. You Don’t Know What Love Is - 4:12   9. Sixty-Eight - 3:14   Réunion à Paris: 10. Leila - 2:30   11. Trianon - 3:59   12. Kenny’s Special - 5:17   13. Illusion - 3:14   14. Love Me or Leave Me - 7:24   15. Cinerama - 4:15   16. Vogue - 6:38   17. Buyer’s Blues - 6:48

Sources:
Tracks #1-10, originally issued on the albums “Jazz on the Left Bank”
Philips P08112L (NL) and Epic LN 3387 (USA)
Tracks #11-17, originally issued on the albums “Réunion à Paris”
Swing LDM 30.048 (FR) and Vogue LAE 12029 (UK)

Personnel:

on "Jazz on the Left Bank":
Dick Mills, trumpet; Billy Byers, trombone; William Boucaya, tenor & baritone sax; Martial Solal, piano; Benoît Quersin, bass; Wessel Ilcken, drums.
Arrangements by Billy Byers
Recorded in Paris, September 12 & 14, 1956

on "Réunion à Paris":
Jimmy Deuchar, trumpet; Billy Byers, trombone; Allen Eager, tenor sax; Martial Solal, piano; Benoît Quersin, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums.
Arrangements by Martial Solal
Recorded in Paris, September 24, 1956

Reviews:

1. www.jazzweekly.com - George W. Harris – 2019.05.03
"Back in the mid 50s, jazz was THE language of love in France. Here, you get a pair of albums from September 1956 by locals along with American Ex-pats that are as tasty as a Crepes with Nutella.

The first session from September 12 & 14 includes Dick Mills/tp, Billy Byers/tb, William Boucaya/bs-ts, Martial Solal/p, Benoit Quersin/b and Wessel Ilcken/dr for a mix of originals and standards. Boucaya’s tenor is rich on a swooning “You Don’t Know What Love Is” while his baritone bops on “Patti’s NY Blues.” The horns breeze like West Coast Cool on “Salute to Vo” and Byers swings it for “The Long Nite.”

Even better is the session with the underrated warm tenor of Allen Eager sitting in with Byers, Martial Solal/p, Quersin and proto-bopping drummer Kenny Clarke. Eager is a mellow master on “Illusion” and smokes like a Montecristo on “Buyer’s Blues.” Clarke is crisp as he rides the cymbal for Solal on “Kenny’s Special” and is kinetic on “Cinerama.” The horns are as tight as the Houston Astro infield with Byers’ buttery ‘bone on “Trianon” and the team is urgent on the charging “Love Me Or Leave Me.” Bopping with the beret!"