Nicolas Montier and Saxomania - Lullaby (1991) [2015 SACD]

Nicolas Montier may not be well known in the U.S., but he is a masterful tenor saxophonist based in France. The Jazz Academy of Paris awarded him the Sidney Bechet prize in 1984 and 1985.

Featured on this album is Montier and his quartet, plus a four-saxophone ensemble called Saxomania. The album contains many lullabies, as the title indicates, but some are played in medium-to-up tempo. Firmly rooted in the mainstream jazz tradition, the band swings very well. The arrangements for a total of five saxophones are consistently brilliant, and Montier's playing is inspired and impressive.

Tracks:

1. Lullaby Of The Leaves
2. Lullaby In Blue
3. Paris Lullaby
4. Biscottes
5. Hush-A-Bye
6. Tokyo Lullaby
7. Summertime
8. Blue Star
9. Lullaby Of Birdland
10. Early Autumn
11. Saxomania In Blue
12. Laura
13. Porto Moniz

Personnel:

Nicolas Montier, tenor sax
Stan Laferriere, piano
Pierre Maingourd, bass
Francois Laudet, drums
Claude Tissendier, alto sax
Jean Eteve, alto sax, clarinet
Dominique Vernhes, tenor sax
Claude Braud, tenor sax