Jazz in France

[Tom Storer]

Here it is the first day of the new era, and we have 29 registered posters so far. Of these, four, including myself, are in France! We have Douglas, who's in Paris like me; Gromit, who lives in an unnamed "Paris suburb"; and gnhrtg, who lives in Fontainebleau.

That makes 13.79310448275862068965517241379% of the board so far. Surely a thread is in order!

Next Thursday I'll be going to see Abdullah Ibrahim in concert, in the Banlieues Bleues festival. Anybody else?

So, Douglas, Gromit and gnhrtg - are you new posters or were you around on the old JC? There was a Douglas, but I don't know if you're the same one.

[gnhrtg]

I was a lurker for quite some time (more than 3 years) in the last board. This had nothing, I hope, to do with my schizophrenic tendencies; rather, it had to do with my being extremely careless and loosing/forgetting the passwords for two accounts that I've created (one after the other) over that time. I did have a lot to say about many of the topics of conversation but I was to lazy to get yet another e-mail address and I therefore remained an observant and could not participate.

Jazz in France is alive and well I believe. What I don't like are the horribly high prices (thanks God there is Verge), but I do like the fact that Virgin did allocate a listening post for the recent Masada Guitars, and alos later the new Kenny Garret, release so that I could listen to the whole record. What I also like is the fact that they have some european only (maybe?) releases like the recent Mal Waldron & Archie Shepp, and the Lacy/Cox/Humair etc. I just hope that they will also get the Quinton Records releases, I have one, which are quite nicely recorded.

Too much ado even for me here. I can't make the Abdullah Ibrahim concert because I have too much work for my own good. However, I would like to meet a couple of Parisiens when I happen to be in Paris.

Gokhan

[mke]

I don't care what anybody thinks, I'll be posting Belgian happenings here. I don't want to create a thread I'll be the only one participating in.

[Sand]

Well, I lived not far from Fontainebleau once and should have been living in France this year, but I don't. Nevertheless, Martial Solal is playing not far from where I live in a few days.

[Gromit]

I was a member of the previous JC since few years, but i sent 10 messages at max, cause "barrière de la langue", like the average of the French people.
Anyway, i visit the JC every day and appreciate the diversity and the Jazz culture of the majority of the members.
Good concert with Dollar Brand.

[Armando]

I don't live in France...yet.

But I would like to know if most of you are French or expats. If you're an expat, was it jazz that made you move to France?

[Pete C]

Originally posted by Armando
was it jazz that made you move to France?

Or was it freedom?

[Douglas]

Yes, I'm the old Douglas, leaping leaming like into the new format (too much contrast in the colours so far).

Anyway, welcome to Sand and gnhrtg (which doesn't trip off the tongue so easily) and keep posting Gromit.

[mke]

Originally posted by Armando
But I would like to know if most of you are French or expats
I'm French but I live in Belgium. I moved here out of... love. But the jazz ain't bad. And relatively cheap. Apart from the Keith Jarrett trio: €89! (okay, cheap seats for €32, but that's still incredibly expensive). I'd say the average ticket is €10-15.

echo"php?";

[Tom Storer]

Originally posted by Armando
I don't live in France...yet.

But I would like to know if most of you are French or expats. If you're an expat, was it jazz that made you move to France?

I'm an American expat. I didn't move to Paris for the jazz, but I couldn't have stayed if there weren't jazz.

[Douglas]

I'm a Scottish expat. The jazz was a bonus.

Tom, Abdullah Ibrahim is not possible for me, but the forthcoming Tim Berne, Ernest Dawkins and Simon Nabatov concerts are on my wish list. I've already missed a lot due to work, but hope some space opens up.

[achilles]

as an American, do I now have to refer to France as
Freedom?

signed,
confused American

[yardbird]

mke, I guess the ticket price for Jarrett reflects what he charges for the trio - it's extremely expensive.

[Tom Storer]

Douglas, I'll be missing the rest of the Banlieues Bleues concerts, apart from Ibrahim and the Kip Hanrahan extravaganza on April 4. But Chris Potter is coming to the Sunside in May - maybe we could get together.

Scottish, eh? Are you John Litwack's friend and former colleague? If so, we've already met!

[Alain]

I'm no expat. Just a plain child of Freedom land ;-)

Right now, I'm listening to the latest opus of the Belmondo Brothers (very gifted sax and trumpet players). Very strange and beautiful. They are known as harbbop killers and they just released an album of beautiful arrangements of the music of Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé and Lili Boulanger. Mesmerizing.

[moneyp]

The fiancee and I may be joinin' y'all after we're hitched. Anyone want to put us up for a while?

[mke]

Depending on when you're coming (in terms of there actually being, say, a shower in our house), you're most welcome in Brussels.

[moneyp]

Originally posted by mke
Depending on when you're coming (in terms of there actually being, say, a shower in our house), you're most welcome in Brussels.

Probably late 2004/early 2005, Mwanjinator, depending on several factors. Careful, I may hold you to it!

[mke]

I certainly hope that we will have installed a bathroom by late 2004, so you will most certainly be welcome! I thought you were coming over in the next few weeks.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Mwanji...Moné plans well in advance. Les bains seront finis, n'est-ce pas?

FWIW, I think it'd be cool to have the Norwegians and the Italians and the Spanish and the...heck, all the other centers of jazz activity with their threads so that we could keep up with them in a more organized way!

[Tom Storer]

Moné,

You're welcome to stay with us in Paris. Just remind me in 18 months or so!

(edited for typo)

[Ron Thorne]

Anyone seen, heard or heard of an Alaskan expat pianist named Igor Agishef? I've asked this question for years with no response. I know that he lives in or near Paris and still performs, probably as a solo artist primarily. And, when he has his way, which is often, he demands a Bösendorfer piano.

Having known him and played with him for years, if you encounter Igor, you'll not forget him, musically or otherwise.

[Sand]

Who? What?!!!

Sorry - I thought this was the attachment thread in the alley...

Image moved to "Jazz In Norway"

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Any attachment will be added in the post you are working on at the time. If you've accidentally attached an image, it can be removed.

So, that being said, what's the story that goes with the Armstrong image?

Qu'est-ce qu'un "Noreg"?

[Armando]

mone, Where are you moving to France from?

I ask because my wife and I have been toying with the up and go there idea ourselves.

[moneyp]

Originally posted by Armando
mone, Where are you moving to France from?

I ask because my wife and I have been toying with the up and go there idea ourselves.

America. California, to be more specific. I wouldn't say that we're moving just yet, but we are seriously considering the idea. A lot will depend on what happens between now and then, not only in our own lives, but with the world's economic and political situations as well. In any event, we're keeping the option open.

[Sand]

Dennis, I'll try to move Armstrong to the "Jazz in Norway" thread.

[Sand]

This trio plays in Paris on March 25
[B]http://www.tordg.no/trio/jazzman_review.jpg

[moneyp]

Originally posted by Sand
[B]This is 130k. It works OK as a link.

Don't start abusing this now. The only other option is to enable "getimagesize" and if the server you're trying to pull the image doesn't have it, you're screwed!

[Pete C]

Last time I was in Paris I ate at an excellent (and very reasonably priced) Corsican restaurant, L'Alivi, 27, rue du Roi de Sicile / 75004 Paris. It's very convenient to Duc des Lombards. It's actually the same street, going east, though the street changes name twice.

http://www.restaurant-alivi.com/

[Sand]

Originally posted by mone peterson
Don't start abusing this now. The only other option is to enable "getimagesize" and if the server you're trying to pull the image doesn't have it, you're screwed!

Do you know why Pete C tries to take control over my postings here? Check his Dolphy image on the Attachment thread in the Alley.

[Armando]

Originally posted by mone peterson
America. California, to be more specific. I wouldn't say that we're moving just yet, but we are seriously considering the idea. A lot will depend on what happens between now and then, not only in our own lives, but with the world's economic and political situations as well. In any event, we're keeping the option open.
We're kind of in the same mind set here in North Carolina. My wife and I have been doing some research on moving and scoping things out. Like you, a lot will depend on what happens between now and when we decide to do it.

[Douglas]

Tom, yes that's me. When is Chris Potter coming?

[Tom Storer]

I think Potter is coming in May... I'll get back to you on this.

[Sand]

Originally posted by Alain
I'm no expat. Just a plain child of Freedom land ;-)

Right now, I'm listening to the latest opus of the Belmondo Brothers (very gifted sax and trumpet players). Very strange and beautiful. They are known as harbbop killers and they just released an album of beautiful arrangements of the music of Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé and Lili Boulanger. Mesmerizing.

Driving home from the airport in late 1992, I suddenly decided I wanted to visit "La Villa" jazz club once more - and I stumbled upon these guys. Very inspired playing. Not sure who the three others were.

[Sand]

belmondo brothers

[petros]

bump

[Tom Storer]

I haven't been going out much, but I thought I'd check the programs and see what's on in Paris in the coming months. Jesus, I'll have to rob a bank. OK, New Yorkers face more choices all the time, but check it out:

September

9/5, Elvin Jones Jazz Machine, Cité de la Musique
9/8, Rick Margitza, Duc des Lombards
9/8-9/9, quintet with Mark Turner & Ravi Coltrane, Sunside
9/11, Louis Slavis Trio / Paul Motian & Electric Bebop Band, Cité de la Musique
9/12, Jim Black & AlasNoAxis / Scofield-Swallow-Stewart, Cité de la Musique
9/14, Bill Carrothers Trio / Michel Portal Quartet + Paolo Fresu, Cité de la Musique
9/14, Lenny Popkin Trio, Duc des Lombards
9/17, Freddie Cole, New Morning
9/23-26, Jimmy Scott, Sunside

October

10/9, Pyramid Trio (Campbell/Parker/Drake), Sunside
10/14-16, Joachim Kuhn, Jean-Paul Céléa, Wolfgang Reisinger, Sunside
10/17-18, Avishai Cohen Quartet, Sunside
10/17, Spacetime All Stars (Gary Bartz, Jean Toussaint, Dave Liebman, Donald Brown, Essiet Essiet, Billy Kilson), New Morning
10/19, Kenny Werner Trio, New Morning
10/21, Carla Bley/Steve Swallow/Andy Sheppard, New Morning
10/23, Sheila Jordan, New Morning
10/24, Pharoah Sanders Acoustic Quartet (William Henderson, Alex Blake, Hamid Drake), New Morning
10/27, Enrico Pieranunzi, Marc Johnson, Paul Motian, Tony Malaby, Bert Joris, New Morning

November

11/6, Jason Moran, New Morning
11/12, Anthony Braxton solo, New Morning
11/3, Heath Brothers, New Morning

Looking ahead...

1/21/04, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Cité de la Musique
1/22/04, Shorter/Hancock duo, Cité de la Musique
1/24-25/04, Wayne Shorter Quartet + Orchestre de Lyon, Cité de la Musique
3/25/04, Orchestre National de Jazz, Cité de la Musique
5/19/04, Chick Corea New Trio, Cité de la Musique

[Douglas]

Thanks, Tom. Some of these dates look very attractive to me.

What is Cité de la Musique like as a venue (confessing ignorance)?

[John L]

...and I had to move to DC


As I recall, Cite de la Musique has one large concert hall with a lot of standing room, and a few smaller more intimate theater-type halls. I like the smaller halls better, for sound and atmosphere both.

[Chaz Longue]

I just figured out (duh...) that the Sclavis/Derome/Chevillon/Tanguey set I saw in Victoriaville was recorded. I gotta get that one... I just played a bunch of Sclavis' ECM stuff on the air tonight. Wonderful.

What label is the Belmondo brothers recording on, Alain?

Also - keep an eye out for the magnificent Daniel Mille, who's next recording is (finally!) going to be a little easier to get in the states, because it's going to be on Sunnyside.


Chaz

[Tom Storer]

John, I think you're confusing the Cité de la Musique with Les Halles de la Villette. Admittedly, they are right next to each other, on the avenue Jean-Jaurès side of the Parc de la Villette. Les Halles de la Villette - where the La Villette Jazz Festival *used* to be held - is a huge building featuring one large stage with a lot of standing room in front, then seats rising bleacher-style almost to the ceiling, plus several smaller concert spaces.

But the La Villette Jazz Festival's concerts are now held at the Cité de la Musique, which is a purpose-built modern complex on the same esplanade; it includes the Musée de la Musique and has a somewhat overpriced, would-be hip "Café de la Musique" adjoining it. Concerts are held in the Auditorium, which is an exemplary concert hall for any kind of music - comfortable, excellent sound, with good sight lines from every seat. Seats are not numbered, so if you turn up early you can always get a good seat.

Douglas, let's pick a concert or two... I'll email you.

[Douglas]

OK, Tom, that sounds good.

I've sent you a PM.

[Tom Storer]

Noted.

I just noticed your avatar. What on earth is that about?

[Douglas]

http://www.macsween.co.uk

[Alain]

Originally posted by Chaz Longue
What label is the Belmondo brothers recording on, Alain?
Chaz

This is a new French label called "B Flat".

[Tom Storer]

Originally posted by Douglas
http://www.macsween.co.uk

Haggis! Got it.

That reminds me of a joke.

*******
A newly qualified doctor arrives for his first day at a hospital, deep in the Welsh valleys. He is met by one of the sisters, who has been given the task of showing him around the hospital and introducing him to the staff and patients.

It is a large hospital and it takes the whole day to get round. By late afternoon they are working their way through the psychiatric block and as the time approaches for the evening meal they arrive at the last ward. They follow the dinner trolley into the ward and wait while one of the nurses lifts the lid on the food tray. To the doctor's surprise there is but a single haggis on the tray to feed a whole ward.

One of the patients moves towards the trolley in a purposeful manner addressing the haggis,

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang's my arm.

Before he can reach the haggis another patient sprints forward, grabs the simple repast and dashes up the ward. He proudly holds the haggis aloft and cries out in a commanding voice,

Some hae meat and cannae eat.
Some cannae eat that want it:
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

At this, a kilted dervish leaps from his bed, whips a skien dubh out of his sock and lunges at the haggis carrier. With a deft movement the haggis bearer fends off the flashing blade with the haggis. Although this prevents any injury it does result in the top of the haggis being hacked off. A small mouse obviously waiting upon this event dashes out from under a bed, grabs the loose piece of haggis and scampers up the ward, running the gauntlet of slashing claymores and hurled dirks from various patients. At the end of the ward stands a bent and wizened old man with a wild fire in his eyes. He screams at the mouse,

Wee sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an chase thee,
Wi murdering pattle!

And then dives upon the poor little mouse. With a left dummy and a right feint, the mouse dodges between the old man's legs, through a hole in the skirting board and to safety with his prize. The doctor turns to the sister and asks, "Why is this psychiatric ward so full of Scotsmen?"

"Oh no, doctor, these are not Scotsmen, they are genuine valley dwellers born and bred", she replies, "and, anyway, this is not a psychiatric ward. It is the Serious Burns unit."

[Douglas]

Excellent, Tom. That's now winging its way around my clan!

[John L]

Tom: You're right. I've been away too long.


Douglas can make a MEAN haggis, let me tell you.