Personnel:

Lucky Thompson (ts, ss), Roger Guérin, Fernand Verstraete, Christian Bellest (tp), Benny Vasseur, Charles Verstraete, André Paquinet (tb), Jo Hrasko, Teddy Hameline (as), Jean-Louis Chautemps (ts), Michel de Villers (as, bs), William Boucaya (bs), Martial Solal, Henri Renaud (p), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Benoit Quersin (b), Gérard Pochonet, Roger Paraboschi (d), Christian Chevallier, Jack Sels (arr)

Reference: FSRCD 938

In the months following his arrival in Paris in February 1956, American tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson appeared in more record sessions than he had in years in his own country. Although his recordings in France were mostly with small groups, he also recorded four sessions with medium-sized orchestras made up by some of the most relevant jazzmen of the Parisian scene.

For the first of these sessions, Lucky joined the Modern Jazz Group —a ten-piece band— to play a series of compositions written by pianist Henri Renaud, and newly arranged to highlight Thompson’s rhythmic, melodic and harmonic imagination. For the remaining three, he had the backing of Dave Pochonet leading several all-star groups that played originals and well-conceived arrangements penned by Lucky. In addition to his writing, his splendid solos project some hard-driving swing, as well as lyricism in the Hawkins-Webster mood. Most of his charts also offer ample solo space for other band members, who don’t squander the chance and jump in with more than commendable musicianship.

Thompson’s effort to sustain a high, solid mood throughout these sessions is somewhat amazing, making it clear that he was not only a saxophonist of excellent control of tone and ideas, but also an imaginative composer and unpretentious arranger.

Tracklisting:

01. Souscription (Henri Renaud) 4:32

02. Marcel le fourreur (Marcel the Furrier) (Henri Renaud) 3:35

03. G. and B. (Henri Renaud) 4:14

04. Influence (Henri Renaud) 4:01

05. Meet Quincy Jones (Henri Renaud) 3:46

06. Once Upon a Time (Lucky Thompson) 2:49

07. A Distant Sound (Lucky Thompson) 2:58

08. A Sunkissed Rose (Lucky Thompson) 3:30

09. Portrait of Django (Jean-Pierre Sasson) 3:42

10. Theme for a Brown Rose (Brown Rose) (Gérard Pochonet) 3:06

11. Still Waters (Lucky Thompson) 3:00

12. 12 Quick as a Flash (Lucky Thompson) 2:38

13. Angel Eyes (Lucky Thompson) 3:14

14. The Parisian Knight (Lucky Thompson) 2:12

15. Street Scene (Lucky Thompson) 2:57

16. To You Dear One (Lucky Thompson) 3:10

17. But Not for Tonight (Thompson-Pochonet) 3:58

18. Home Free (Lucky Thompson) 5:04

19. Bluebeard Blues (Hefti-Basie) 3:55

20. Easy Going (Lucky Thompson) 4:04

21. One for the Boys and Us (Thompson-Pochonet) 7:07

Original sources:

Tracks #1-5: from the 10-inch album “Modern Jazz Group— Tentette and Quartet featuring Lucky Thompson” (Le Club Français du Disque LP 66)

Tracks #6-17: from the album “Lucky Thompson & Gérard Pochonet All Stars”

(Swing LDM 30.039)

Tracks #18-21: from the album “Lucky Thompson & Dave Pochonet All Stars”

(Le Club Français du Disque LP 84)

Personnel on #1-5: MODERN JAZZ GROUP TENTETTE FEATURING LUCKY THOMPSON

Fred Gérard, Roger Guérin, trumpet; Benny Vasseur, trombone; Teddy Hameline, alto sax; Lucky Thompson, tenor sax; Jean-Louis Chautemps, tenor sax; William Boucaya, baritone sax; Henri Renaud, piano; Benoit Quersin, bass; Roger Paraboschi, drums.

Christian Chevallier, Bob Shronk and Henri Renaud, arrangers

Recorded in Paris, March 5 (#1-3) & 7 (#4-5), 1956

Personnel on #6-11: LUCKY THOMPSON & GÉRARD POCHONET ALL STARS

Fernand Verstraete, trumpet; André Paquinet, trombone; Jo Hrasko, alto sax; Lucky Thompson, tenor sax, arranger; Marcel Hrasko, baritone sax; Jean-Pierre Sasson (as 'Sir' John Peter), guitar; Martial Solal, piano; Benoit Quersin, bass; Gérard Pochonet, drums.

Recorded in Paris, March 29, 1956

Personnel on #12-17: LUCKY THOMPSON & GÉRARD POCHONET ALL STARS

Christian Bellest, trumpet; Charles Verstraete, trombone; Jo Hrasko, alto sax; Lucky Thompson, tenor sax, arranger; Marcel Hrasko, baritone sax; Martial Solal, piano; Benoit Quersin, bass; Gérard Pochonet, drums.

Recorded in Paris, April 17, 1956

Personnel on #18-21: DAVE POCHONET ALL STARS FEATURING LUCKY THOMPSON

Fernand Verstraete, trumpet (out on #18); Charles Verstraete, trombone (out on #18); Michel de Villers, alto & baritone sax; Jo Hrasko, alto sax, clarinet; Lucky Thompson, tenor sax, arranger; Marcel Hrasko, baritone sax; Jean-Pierre Sasson, guitar; Henri Renaud, piano; Benoit Quersin, bass; Gérard Pochonet, drums. Jack Sels, arranger (#19).

Recorded in Paris, May 11, 1956

Cover and inlay photo: Jean-Pierre Leloir

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol

Special thanks to our friend Christian Dangleterre

Hi-Fi / Mono · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered