Art Blakey – Paris Jam Session

AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

This 1959 concert in Paris by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers has been sporadically available on various labels, but this reissue in Verve's Jazz in Paris series is the best sounding and best packaged of the lot. Blakey's group of this period (Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Jymie Merritt, and Walter Davis, Jr.) is in great form during an extended workout of Morgan's intense blues "The Midget," and Dizzy Gillespie's timeless "A Night in Tunisia" is kicked off by Blakey's an electrifying solo. But it is the addition of some special guests for the first two numbers that proves to be extra special. Bud Powell, sitting in for Davis, and French saxophonist Barney Wilen, on alto rather than his normal tenor sax, are both added to the band for inspired versions of Powell's "Dance of the Infidels" and "Bouncing with Bud." Morgan's trumpet playing is outstanding throughout the concert. This is one of the essential live dates in Art Blakey's rather extensive discography.

Art Blakey • Bud Powell • Barney Wilen And The Jazz Messengers
Paris Jam Session Fontana 00:00 A1 Dance Of The Infidels (Bud Powell) 12:29 A2 Bouncing With Bud (Bud Powell, Walter Fuller) 24:13 B1 The Midget (Lee Morgan) 35:21 B2 A Night In Tunisia ((Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli) Alto Saxophone – Barney Wilen (tracks: A1, A2) Bass – Jimmy Merritt Drums – Art Blakey Piano – Bud Powell (tracks: A1, A2), Walter Davis Junior (tracks: B1, B2) Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter Trumpet – Lee Morgan Recorded live December 18, 1959 at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris