Claude Bolling

French pianist Claude Bolling has written and recorded enough jazzy suites to fill a large restaurant dessert cart, but it is said that he has a particular fondness for big bands. Several Bolling big-band albums have been released in Europe, but Live at the Meridien is the first to make it to these shores. Smooth as custard and with just enough spice to tickle the hardened jazz palate, this program of Bolling originals has a sound that reflects big bands past —there are streaks of old Herman Herds and even Charlie Barnet — yet it all sounds thoroughly modern. More innovation-loving ears will prefer Toshiko Akiyoshi's charts, but there is room in jazz for both, and I certainly prefer this Bolling to the pastry chef who turns out all those suites. - Washington Post

PERSONNEL:

• Jean-François Rougé - bass
• Jean-Luc Dayan - drums
• Claude Bolling - piano

TRACKS:

• 01. Jazzomania
• Soloist: André Villèger - sax, flute
• Soloist: Benny Vasseur - trombone
• Soloist: Fernand Verstraete - trumpet
• 02. Le Piège
• Soloist: André Villèger - sax, flute
• 03. Geneviève
• Soloist: André Villèger - sax, flute
• Soloist: Benny Vasseur - trombone
• 04. Africaine
• Soloist: Jean-Paul Charlap - guitar
• 05. Le Coeur A Ses Raisons
• Soloist: André Villèger - sax, flute
• 06. Barbuflux
• Soloist: Marcel Canillard, Pierre Shirrer - sax, flute
• Soloist: Fernand Verstraete - trumpet
• 07. Coup De Chapeau Soloist: Charles Verstraete - trombone
• 08. Lagaffe Soloists: Claude Tissendier, Jean Aldegon, Pierre Shirrer - sax, flute