René Thomas – Remembering René Thomas – 2CD

Rare and unreleased performances by the legendary jazz guitarist.

René Thomas (1927-1975) was considered the best European jazz guitarist of his generation by fellow musicians and critics, but his career was marred by the pervasive skepticism of jazz fans. Despite trying hard to carve his own space, he never obtained the recognition he deserved for his immense talent, perhaps because of his introverted character and prolonged withdrawals from the scene.

Shy and taciturn by nature —always entrenched behind a pair of thick portho— Thomas became authoritative and convincing as soon as he picked his guitar. That’s when this unique jazzman truly shined. With a deep, rich sound and absolute control of his instrument, he was always at ease, delicately distilling the most difficult passages in a simple, straight-forward manner. In the 45 years that have gone by since his death, René Thomas has become a legend, and although today he enjoys worldwide respect and admiration, he is still often underrated in comparison with other great guitarists. This album is a humble homage to this guitar genius.

Track Listing:

CD1:
1. Motion - 3:46   2. There'll Never Be Another You - 4:01   3. Lover Man - 3:54   4. Stella by Starlight - 2:33   5. Whose Blues - 2:56   6. Au Privave - 11:09   7. Blue Train - 11:36   8. Milestones - 6:33   9. Motion -7:00   10. All Mornin' Long - 10:02   11. It Could Happen to You - 5:04   12. Never Morning - 3:51

CD2:
1. Milestones - 7:17   2. It Could Happen to You - 9:17   3. Oleo -3:56   4. Ballata in forma di blues - 5:53   5. It Could Happen to You - 5:03   6. I Remember Sonny - 5:09   7. Au Privave - 5:40   8. Easy Living - 5:10   9. Our Delight - 4:57   10. Moonlight in Vermont - 3:52   11. Well You Needn't - 5:23   12. Blues - 7:48   13. Stardust - 5:18

Sources:
Tracks #1-5 on CD1 from “Jacques Pelzer Modern Jazz Sextet” (Innovation ILP2)
Tracks #6-10 on CD1 and #3-6 on CD2 live recordings and broadcasts
Tracks #11 & 12 on CD1 and #1, 2 & 7-13 on CD2 © INA (Institut National d’Audiovisuel, Paris, France)

Personnel:

on CD1:
Tracks #1-5: JACQUES PELZER MODERN JAZZ SEXTET Feat. RENÉ THOMAS
Jacques Pelzer (alto sax) , René Thomas (guitar) , Jean Fanis (piano) , Paul Dubois (bass) , Rudy Frankel (drums) , Herman Sandy (trumpet on 2 & 5).
Recorded in Brussels, Belgium, May 18, 1955

Tracks #6-9: RENÉ THOMAS TRIO
René Thomas (guitar) , Bob Roach (bass) , George Braxton (drums)
Recorded at Café Lutece, Montreal, Canada, February, 1960

Track #10: RENÉ THOMAS TRIO
René Thomas (guitar) , Benoît Quersin (bass) , José Bourguignon (drums)
Recorded at Comblain-la-Tour Jazz Festival, July 30, 1961

Tracks #11-12: BOBBY JASPAR-RENÉ THOMAS QUARTET
Bobby Jaspar (flute) , René Thomas (guitar) , Jacques Hess (bass) , Franco Manzecchi (drums).
Studio session for the show “Jazz aux Champs-Élysées”, Paris, November 6, 1961

on CD2:
Tracks #1-2: BOBBY JASPAR-RENÉ THOMAS QUINTET
Bobby Jaspar (tenor sax & flute) , René Thomas (guitar) , Jack Diéval (piano) , Jacques Hess (bass) , Franco Manzecchi (drums)
Recorded live from the show “Jazz aux Champs-Élysées”, Paris, Fall 1961

Tracks #3-6: INTERNATIONAL JAZZ QUINTET
Bobby Jaspar (tenor sax & flute) , René Thomas (guitar) , Amedeo Tommasi (piano) , Benoît Quersin (bass) , Daniel Humair (drums)
Recorded live at Radio-TV, RTBF, Brussels, January 16, 1962

Tracks #7-11: RENÉ THOMAS QUARTET
René Thomas (guitar) , Joël Vandroogenbroeck (piano) , Benoît Quersin (bass) , Daniel Humair (drums)
Recorded at Festival d’Antibes Juan-les-Pins, July 20, 1962

Track #12: RENÉ THOMAS-JIMMY SMITH TRIO
René Thomas (guitar) , Jimmy Smith (organ) , Donald Bailey (drums)
Recorded at Festival d’Antibes Juan-les-Pins, July 22, 1962

Track #13: RENÉ THOMAS QUARTET
René Thomas (acoustic guitar) , Jack Diéval (piano) , Jacques Hess (bass) , Franco Manzecchi (drums)
Studio session for the show “Jazz aux Champs-Élysées”, Paris, late summer 1962