Kenny Clarke – Kenny Clarke Plays The Arrangements of Andre Hodeir, Christian Chevalier, Pierre Michelot and Francis Boland

Recorded during 1956-1960, the initial years of drummer Kenny Clarke’s permanently settling in Europe, these four sessions display his versatility and consistently commanding musicianship over richly varied settings, some graced, among others, by the stellar presence of US tenor giants Lucky Thompson and Don Byas.
They show, too, the superior quality of some European players and composerarrangers who were to be outstanding names in continental jazz -primarily French and Belgian, but also including the great Algerian pianist, Martial Solal.
Solal and trombonist Billy Byers are featured on the opening session of André Hodeir’s excellently conceived arrangements of originals by himself, Ellington, Monk, Mulligan, Dameron and others. On the “Kenny Clarke Plays Pierre Michelot” session, Michelot reveals his considerable gifts as composer and arranger, influenced by the Miles Davis Nonet, with Clarke and Thompson at their best. The Bill Holman-influenced composer-arranger Christian Chevallier’s good writing animates the next session. Both sessions benefit from a rhythm section which includes the arrestingly brilliant piano of Maurice Vandair.
The final session, from 1960, showcases Francy Boland’s writing, presaging his long collaboration with Clarke. Apart from Clarke and Byas, the musicians are Belgian, with vibist Fats Sadi the most original soloist among them and Clarke, as always, an inspiring presence.

Tracklist:
1. Bemsha Swing (Best-Monk) - 3:52   2. Oblique (Hodeir) - 3:23   3. Blue Serge (Ellington) - 2:46   4. Swing Spring (Davis) - 3:52   5. On a Riff (Hodeir) - 2:55   6. Jeru (Mulligan) - 3:48   7. The Squirrel (Dameron) - 3:04   8. Eronel (Monk) - 3:25   9. 'Round Midnight (Monk) - 2:54   10. When Lights Are Low (Carter) - 3:06   11. Cadenze (Hodeir) - 3:56   12. Tahiti (Jackson) - 4:28   13. Love Me or Leave Me (Kahn-Donaldson) - 3:36   14. Fun for Four (Michelot) - 2:34   15. Fantasy for Bass (Michelot) - 3:28   16. Jackie, My Little Cat (Michelot) - 3:27   17. Dream Time (Chevallier) - 3:33   18. Gold Fish (Chevallier) - 2:45   19. Black Knight (Chevallier) - 2:53   20. Jean-Paul (Chevallier) - 2:47   21. Bell Hop (Boland)-  2:47   22. More Than You Know (Youmans-Elescu-Rose) - 2:30   23. Tampico (Boland) - 5:15   

Sources:
Tracks #1-12, from the 12-inch LP “Kenny Clarke’s Sextet Plays André Hodeir” (Philips N 77.312) American issue: “Kenny Clarke Plays Andre Hodeir” (Epic LN 3376)
Tracks #13-16, from the 7-inch EP “Kenny Clarke Plays Pierre Michelot” (Columbia ESDF1176)
Tracks #17-20, from the 7-inch EP “Kenny Clarke Plays Christian Chevallier” (Columbia ESDF1222)
Tracks #21-23, from the 7-inch EP “Don Wails With Kenny” (Columbia C41226)

Personnel:

KENNY CLARKE’S SEXTET PLAYS ANDRÉ HODEIR
Tracks #5,9 & 10: Roger Guérin, trumpet; Billy Byers, Nat Peck, trombones; René Urtréger (#9 & 10), Martial Solal (#5), piano; Pierre Michelot, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums. André Hodeir, arrangements.
Recorded at Studio Apollo, Paris, October 26, 1956

Tracks #2,6,8 & 12: Billy Byers, trombone; Hubert Rostaing (as Robert Guismath), alto sax; Armand Migiani, baritone sax; Martial Solal, piano; Jean Warland, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums. André Hodeir, arrangements.
Recorded at Studio Apollo, Paris, November 21, 1956

Tracks #1,3,4,7 & 11: Roger Guérin, trumpet; Billy Byers, trombone; Armand Migiani, baritone sax; Martial Solal, piano; Jean Warland, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums. André Hodeir, arrangements.
Recorded at Studio Apollo, Paris, November 30, 1956

KENNY CLARKE PLAYS PIERRE MICHELOT
Tracks #13-16: Ack van Rooyen, Bernard Hulin, trumpet; Billy Byers, Nat Peck, trombone; Hubert Fol, alto sax; Lucky Thompson, Pierre Gossez, tenor sax; Armand Migiani, baritone sax; Maurice Vandair, piano; Pierre Michelot, bass, arrangements; Kenny Clarke, drums.
Recorded at Pathé Marconi Boulogne Studios, Paris, September 23, 1957

KENNY CLARKE PLAYS CHRISTIAN CHEVALLIER
Tracks #17 & 18: Roger Guérin, trumpet; Benny Vasseur, trombone; Pierre Gossez, René “Mickey” Nicholas, alto sax; Georges Grenu, tenor sax; Armand Migiani, baritone sax; Maurice Vandair, piano; Pierre Michelot, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums; Christian Chevallier, arrangements.
Recorded at Pathé Marconi Boulogne Studios, Paris, November 12, 1957

Tracks #19 & 20: Ack van Rooyen (#19) or Jean Liesse (#20), trumpet; Nat Peck, trombone; Hubert Fol, Jean Aldegon, alto sax; Georges Grenu, tenor sax (#19); Tony Scott, clarinet, tenor sax (#20); Armand Migiani, baritone sax; Maurice Vandair (#19) or Raymond Fol (#20), piano; Pierre Michelot, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums. Christian Chevallier, arrangements.
Recorded at Pathé Marconi Boulogne Studios, Paris, November 12, 1957

KENNY CLARKE PLAYS FRANCY BOLAND
Tracks #21-23: Christian Kellens, trombone; Eddie Busnello, alto sax; Don Byas, tenor sax; “Fats” Sadi, vibes; Francy Boland, piano, arrangements; Jean Warland, bass; Kenny Clarke, drums.
Recorded at EMI Electrola Studios, Cologne, February 25, 1960

Cover photo by J.P. Leloir
Compiled for CD release by Jordi Pujol