GQ REPOST - Barney Wilen - Jazz sur Seine (1958)

Tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen was not quite 21 years old at the time of this meeting with Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, and Kenny Clarke, three veterans of the Modern Jazz Quartet. But the young man is surprising mature and confident throughout the session, interpreting several of Django Reinhardt's compositions, along with a few by his French contemporaries and a pair of his own works. What's surprising about this session is the rare opportunity to hear Jackson exclusively as a pianist, as his playing is a bit more reserved than on vibes. The leader digs into his rhythm section's element with his original "B.B.B. (Bag's Barney Blues)," giving them a full chorus before making a convincing statement himself. The quartet's fluid arrangement of Thelonious Monk's "Epistrophy" swings. Percussionist Gana M'Bow is added for both "Swing 39" and "Minor Swing" to add an exotic touch. Wilen easily holds his own on his first major meeting on a record date with major American jazz stars. This excellent CD is part of Verve International's affordable midline Jazz in Paris reissue series. (AMG review)

Barney Wilen (ts) Milt Jackson (p) Percy Heath (b) Kenny Clarke (d) Gana M'Bow (perc on two tracks)

Recored February 13 & 14, 1958, Paris.

Track list:

1. Swing
2. Vamp
3. Menilmontant
4. John's Groove
5. B.B.B. (Bag's Barney Blues)
6. Swingin' Parisian Rhythm (Jazz sur Seine)
7. J'ai ta Main
8. Nuages
9. La Route Enchantee
10. Que Reste-t-il de nos Amours
11. Minor Swing
12. Epistrophy

This is the 2000 Gitanes "Jazz In Paris" 24-bit remaster of the 1958 Philips LP Paris Session



A real swinging session and a great sampling of the French tenor great in his prime!



320 kbps MP3 version also available on Avaxsphere, courtesy ostndr!