Kenny Clarke's Sextet - Plays André Hodeir (High Definition Remaster) (2023) [Hi-Res]

Recorded during 1956-1960, the initial years of drummer Kenny Clarke’s permanently settling in Europe, these four sessions display his versatility and consistently commanding musicianship over richly varied settings, some graced, among others, by the stellar presence of US tenor giants Lucky Thompson and Don Byas.

They show, too, the superior quality of some European players and composerarrangers who were to be outstanding names in continental jazz -primarily French and Belgian, but also including the great Algerian pianist, Martial Solal.

Solal and trombonist Billy Byers are featured on the opening session of André Hodeir’s excellently conceived arrangements of originals by himself, Ellington, Monk, Mulligan, Dameron and others. On the “Kenny Clarke Plays Pierre Michelot” session, Michelot reveals his considerable gifts as composer and arranger, influenced by the Miles Davis Nonet, with Clarke and Thompson at their best. The Bill Holman-influenced composer-arranger Christian Chevallier’s good writing animates the next session. Both sessions benefit from a rhythm section which includes the arrestingly brilliant piano of Maurice Vandair.

The final session, from 1960, showcases Francy Boland’s writing, presaging his long collaboration with Clarke. Apart from Clarke and Byas, the musicians are Belgian, with vibist Fats Sadi the most original soloist among them and Clarke, as always, an inspiring presence.

"Drummer Kenny Clarke became a fixture on the Paris jazz scene after moving there in 1956. One of his best records from his early days abroad, originally released by Phillips, is finally available on CD as a part of Verve's Jazz in Paris reissue series. With superb arrangements by Andre Hodeir, and a rotating cast of musicians over three separate recording sessions, the drummer sticks to providing brushwork behind the scenes. "Bemsha Swing," jointly written by Clarke with Thelonious Monk, centers around Martial Solal's playful solo, while the brass and reeds seem to be coming at each other from all angles in Monk's "Eronel." Hodeir's composition "Oblique" sounds like something that would have fit in perfectly as part of the repertoire of the Miles Davis Birth of the Cool sessions, a period which Hodeir explores with his chart of Gerry Mulligan's "Jeru," in which the improvisations are actually written out. The moody take of "Blue Serge" briefly showcases trombonist Billy Byers, trumpeter Roger Guerin and baritone saxophonist Armand Migani. The only headache with this reissue is the mixed up track by track personnel listings, which don't consistently match up with the music heard, and which omit alto saxophonist Robert Guismath entirely." (Ken Dryden, AMG)

Kenny Clarke, drums
Roger Guérin, trumpet
Bernard Hulin, trumpet
Billy Byers, trombone
Nat Peck, trombone
Hubert Rostaing, saxophone
Hubert Fol, saxophone
Lucky Thompson, saxophone
Armand Migiani, saxophone
René Urtreger, piano
Martial Solal, piano
Maurice Vander piano
Fats Sadi, vibraphone
Pierre Michelot, bass
Jean Warland, bass
André Hodeir, arrangements
Christian Chevallier, arrangements
Francy Boland, arrangements

Digitally remastered