TRACKS
Running Wild * Over The Waves * Uptown Bumps * The Old Rugged Cross * Tiger Rag * I'm Alone Because I Love You * ^Ice Cream * Laissez Les Bons Temps Roulet * Algiers Strut * In The Upper Garden * Panama

Recorded on the 18th of May 2008 at the SeaSide Jazzklub, Frederkssund, Denmark.
Liner Notes: Fred Vigorito
Time approx 70.00

Vive La France for creating their appetising culinary cuisine and providing the excellent accompaniment in the form of tantalising wines suited to every desire and palate.

Vive La France for that inventive assembly the Quintette du Hot Club de France and the suave gentleman who stood head and shoulders above the rest, no not de Gaulle, but Stephane Grappelli the jazz virtuoso.

France has always accented the jazz scene one way or another, for it was Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, whose parents came from Dieppe, who founded New Orleans back in 1718. To-day the hub of jazz in that city is centred in and around the Vieux Carre better known as the French Quarter. It is not surprising that we find a French group of musicians hell-bent on preserving the original style of New Orleans Jazz.

According to a statement issued by the Louisiana State Museum which is situated in the Old U.S. Mint Building in the Crescent City, “New Orleans Jazz is a performance art based on the musical elements of syncopation, improvisation, blues scale, call and response, rhythm, tone colour, harmony and interpretation”. The French Preservation Jazz Band have certainly devoted themselves to the cause and their compact disc ‘Live at SeaSide JazzKlub’ is a creditworthy execution.

It has been said that New Orleans Jazz has a swinging, stomping, syncopation that makes you want to shake and shimmy, well there are few who can argue against that.

Fred Vigorito

On this occasion the Entente Cordial has been extended to include invited guest American cornet player Fred Vigorito, he joins the group and soon proves himself to be well steeped in the true tradition of the art. His forceful, raucous, strident tone is just what is called for as the line up on this occasion is without a trombonist, suffice it to say the presence of Fred Vigorito more than makes up for the omission.

Running Wild, the first track kicks things off to a great start. The tempo is just right for this number and features an enjoyable solo performance from the front line, encouraged by a supportive rhythmic backing, with the ensemble providing a near perfect finale.

Over the Waves has a comical style clarinet opening passage leading to an eager entry by the band who immediately step up the action. The bass player Dominic Molton is given the opportunity to show what he can do whilst Kjeld Brandt displays his true talent with his second clarinet solo which is neatly backed by a pulsating team effort.

Uptown Bumps a number I’m not familiar with is taken at an amiable pace with the front line soloists including pianist Cyrille Ouanich acquitting themselves admirably.

Old Rugged Cross features tenor saxophonist Jean-Pierre Alessi’s meaningful contribution, along with Fred Vigorito’s restful muted brass passage, makes this number a pleasure to listen to. Henry Lemaire on banjo with his expressive offering is also worthy of recognition.

Ice Cream is a tune which I feel would be best treated as an instrumental piece. This is no reflection on the vocal by Fred Vigorito, he handles it well. The band get off to a lively start and again the piano feature is commendable and leads to an impressive finale.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler gives Fred the deserved opportunity to display his vocal talent which undoubtedly helps to make this track one well worth listening to.

There are eleven tracks in all on the disc and it should be rated as one well worth adding to your collection, perhaps the most lively number is the old ragtime favourite Tiger Rag. First recorded by Nick La Rocca and the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917 when the art of gramophone recordings was in its infancy. The ODJB were credited as being the first band to make jazz records available to the public, they were an all white band originally from New Orleans. It was not until some six or seven years later that King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Kid Ory and Johnny Dodds were invited into the studio and jazz recordings hit the record stores in any great numbers. Ironically by that time many of the original New Orleans jazz musicians had moved to Chicago and beyond where the action was and work was more plentiful for all.

Tiger Rag on this disc one can imagine all the soloists literally chasing themselves round the club in ever decreasing circles, culminating in a hell for leather finale, but not before we have heard drummer Vincent Hurel in applaudable full flight.