Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 03/25/2008
French guitarist
Henri Crolla is heard with a variety of different groups in this compilation of recordings from the 1950s. Although the first ten tracks were recorded as a tribute to the late
Django Reinhardt,
Crolla stays in the background to allow violinist
Stéphane Grappelli to dominate the brief rendition of
"Swing 39." In
"Minor Swing," Grappelli clarinetist
Hubert Rostaing and alto saxophonist
Andre Ekyan solo prior to the leader, with
Crolla capturing some of the flavor of
Reinhardt without copying him outright. But the
ballad features without
Grappelli are the most surprising tracks.
Reinhardt's lovely but obscure
"Anouman" showcases
Ekyan with the rhythm section, minus
Crolla, who evidently sat out this number.
Crolla does justice to
"Nuages" with a lively solo, complemented by
Rostaing's clarinet. The final four selections come from an EP, with
Crolla leading a sextet including
Rostaing, trumpeter
Roger Guerin, and pianist
Martial Solal. The guitarist has a far more prominent role throughout this date and seems inspired by the material, which consists of
standards of the
swing era. This volume in
Universal Music's extensive
Jazz in Paris CD reissue series is definitely worth picking up.
~Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
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