120740bk Django8 11/12/04 11:14 PM Page 8 The Naxos Historical labels aim to make available the greatest recordings of the history of recorded music, in the best and truest sound that contemporary technology can provide. To achieve this aim, Naxos has engaged a number of respected restorers who have the dedication, skill and experience to produce restorations that have set new standards in the field of historical recordings. Also available in the Naxos Jazz Legends series 8.120672 8.120688* 8.120734 8.120743* 8.120744* 8.120746* * Not available in the USA NAXOS RADIO Over 50 Channels of Classical Music • Jazz, Folk/World, Nostalgia www.naxosradio.com Accessible Anywhere, Anytime • Near-CD Quality 120740bk Django8 11/12/04 11:14 PM Page 2 Django Reinhardt Vol.8 Personnel Tracks 1-2: Benny Carter, Fletcher Allen, alto sax; Tracks 13-16: GLENN MILLER ALL STARS. Americans in Paris, Part Two Alix Combelle, Bertie King, tenor sax; Django Bernie Privin, trumpet; Peanuts Hucko, Original Recordings 1938-1945 Reinhardt, guitar; York de Souza, piano; Len clarinet/tenor sax; Django Reinhardt, guitar; Harrison, bass; Robert Montmarché, drums Mel Powell, piano; Joe Shulman, piano; Ray Track 3: Benny Carter, trumpet; Fletcher Allen, McKinley, drums Django Reinhardt was the top European jazz Originally a banjoist in the 1920s who played alto sax; Bertie King, clarinet; Alix Combelle, Tracks 17-20: Herb Bass, Jerry Stephan, Robin musician prior to the 1950s in addition to being dance music, Reinhardt discovered jazz through tenor sax; Django Reinhardt, guitar; York de Gould, Lonnie Wilfong, trumpets; Bill Decker, one of the two most significant jazz guitarists of the recordings of Louis Armstrong. He was Souza, piano; Len Harrison, bass; Robert Don Gardner, Shelton Heath, John Kirkpatrick, the 1930s and ’40s (along with Charlie already doubling on guitar when a disastrous fire Montmarché, drums trombones; Jim Hayes, clarinet, alto sax; Joe Christian). Surprisingly, he only visited the United in his gypsy caravan permanently scarred one of Tracks 4-7: Larry Adler, harmonica; Stephane Moser, alto sax; Bernie Cavaliere, Bill States once. Reinhardt was booked for an his hands. Despite only being able to use two Zickefoose, tenor sax; Ken Lowther, baritone American tour in 1946 with Duke Ellington’s fingers on the hand he used to finger chords, Grappelly, piano; Django Reinhardt, Joseph Reinhardt, Eugène Vées, guitar; Roger “Toto” sax; Django Reinhardt, guitar; Larry Mann, orchestra but the visit was a major disappoint- Reinhardt made a comeback and developed a Grasset, bass piano; Bob Decker, bass; Bill Bethel, drums; ment. Django arrived in the U.S. expecting to be powerful solo style. When he began regularly Jack Platt, director treated as a hero. Instead, he was neglected by a teaming up with violinist Stephane Grappelli in Tracks 8-12: Rex Stewart, cornet; Barney public more interested in the rise of bebop, the 1933 as co-leaders of the Quintet of the Hot Club Bigard, clarinet, drums on track 12; Django collapse of the swing era big bands and the of France (an all-string group consisting of violin, Reinhardt, guitar; Billy Taylor, bass increasing prominence of pop singers. In three acoustic guitars and bass), a new sound addition, Ellington failed to write any new works was born. that featured Django, just having the guitarist jam In addition to his work with the Quintet, Available in our companion series Naxos Nostalgia a few standards with the big band’s rhythm Reinhardt appeared with a variety of all-star section. Reinhardt became homesick for France, groups that often featured American greats. he missed or appeared late at several key concerts ‘Americans In Paris Part 1’ has Django interacting and, when he returned home, his United States with tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, adventure was just thought of as a brief misfire. trumpeter Bill Coleman, trombonist Dickie Wells In contrast, when major American jazz and violinist Eddie South. ‘Americans In Paris musicians visited Europe in the 1930s and ‘40s, Part 2’ begins in 1938 with Benny Carter. they went out of their way to find and play with Carter (1907-2003) had a remarkable career Reinhardt. This resulted in many classic full of consistent achievements and impressive recordings that feature Django holding his own longevity. He made his recording debut in 1927 with the Americans. with Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten, was already Jean Baptiste “Django” Reinhardt was born a notable altoist and arranger by the following 8.120608* 8.120654 8.120717 23 January 1910 in Liverchies, Belgium. year, and worked with Fletcher Henderson, * Not available in the USA 2 8.120740 8.120740 7 120740bk Django8 11/12/04 11:14 PM Page 6 13. How High The Moon 2:21 18. Manoir de mes rêves 3:17 McKinney’s Cotton Pickers and his own big in the 1950s, Adler had no competition on his (Nancy Hamilton–Morgan Lewis) (Django Reinhardt) bands. A top altoist and trumpeter in addition to instrument. Jazz Club Mystery Hot Band Django Reinhardt & His American Swing being an occasional clarinettist, Carter was in Although he did not consider himself a jazz ABC JCF 120, mx ST 1227-2 Band, directed by Jack Platt great demand in Europe during his three years musician, Adler could play credible jazz whenever Recorded 25 January 1945 Swing 221, mx 0SW 410-2 overseas (1935-38), both as a soloist and as an it interested him as he showed on his one session 14. If Dreams Come True 2:52 Recorded 6 November 1945 arranger/composer. After returning to the U.S., with the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. (Edgar Sampson–Benny Goodman– 19. Are You In The Mood? 2:59 he worked steadily for the next sixty years until his Adler’s expressive harmonica is often in the Irving Mills) (Django Reinhardt–Stephane Grappelli) retirement at the age of ninety. forefront, taking the place of Stephane Grappelli’s Jazz Club Mystery Hot Band Django Reinhardt & His American Swing The first three selections on this collection violin with Grappelli switching to piano. While ABC JCF 121, mx ST 1228 Band, directed by Jack Platt feature Carter leading a septet/octet of Adler is usually in the lead, Reinhardt gets his solo Recorded 25 January 1945 Swing 208, mx 0SW 411-1 Europeans including Reinhardt. From the start of space and blends in well with the harmonica 15. Hallelujah 2:53 Recorded 6 November 1945 I’m Coming Virginia, one knows that it is a Benny virtuoso on Body And Soul, Lover Come Back To (Vincent Youmans–Leo Robin–Clifford Grey) 20. Djangology 2:41 Carter arrangement; his writing for reeds was Me, My Melancholy Baby and I Got Rhythm. Jazz Club Mystery Hot Band (Django Reinhardt–Stephane Grappelli) always distinctive. Tenor-saxophonist Alix While Reinhardt’s 1946 tour with Duke ABC JCF 122, mx ST 1229-2 Django Reinhardt & His American Swing Combelle shows off the influence of Coleman Ellington did not produce the musical magic that Recorded 25 January 1945 Band, directed by Jack Platt Hawkins before Django Reinhardt and Benny was expected, he did have an opportunity in 1939 16. Stompin’ At The Savoy 3:01 Swing 221, mx 0SW 408-1 Carter take an inventive chorus apiece. Farewell to record with three of Duke’s sidemen. Rex (Edgar Sampson–Andy Razaf–Chick Webb– Recorded 6 November 1945 Blues has spots for altoist Fletcher Allen, a Stewart (1907-67), the leader and organizer of Benny Goodman) jubilant Combelle and Carter with Reinhardt the quartet, was famous for the bent notes he Jazz Club Mystery Hot Band Transfers & Production: David Lennick mostly in the background other than taking a few was able to achieve on cornet through his half- ABC JCF 123, mx ST 1230 Digital Noise Reduction: K&A Productions Ltd short breaks. Blue Light Blues features a valve technique. He was a major asset to Recorded 25 January 1945 Original monochrome photo of Django different sound altogether and, rather than Ellington’s orchestra during 1934-45. Barney Reinhardt from Rue des Archives/Lebrecht 17. Swing Guitars 2:26 having a frontline of three saxophones, Carter Bigard, Ellington’s clarinettist during 1927-42, (Django Reinhardt–Stephane Grappelli) Music & Arts switches to trumpet and Bertie King joins the worked early on as a tenor-saxophonist with King Django Reinhardt & His American Swing band on clarinet. All four horns and Django are Oliver (1925-27) and during 1947-55 and 1960- Band, directed by Jack Platt heard from on this spontaneous-sounding 61 toured the world as a member of Louis Swing 208, mx 0SW 409-1 performance. Armstrong’s All-Stars. Billy Taylor (no relation to Recorded 6 November 1945 Larry Adler (1914-2001) was always in his the famous pianist) played bass with Ellington in own musical category. The first major harmonica the years (1935-39) before the emergence of soloist, Adler worked hard to make the Jimmy Blanton. harmonica accepted as a legitimate instrument. Rex Stewart’s Montmartre has such a happy Throughout his long and productive career, he melody that it is surprising that it has not been was heard playing everything from classical music revived through the years. The cornet-clarinet- to Gershwin. Until the rise of Toots Thielemans guitar-bass quartet has a particularly appealing 6 8.120740 8.120740 3 120740bk Django8 11/12/04 11:14 PM Page 4 sound, with Reinhardt providing a driving clarinettist featured in swing and dixieland 1. I’m Coming Virginia 3:05 7. I Got Rhythm 2:54 rhythm. Low Cotton has Bigard, Reinhardt and settings. Mel Powell, famous for his earlier piano (Donald Heywood–Will Marion Cook) (George & Ira Gershwin) Stewart taking turns sharing the lead.