Essentially overlooked in America, tenor saxist Guy Lafitte was one of the stars of jazz in Paris in the post-war years. His tone and approach were inspired by Coleman Hawkins, and there are a lot worse decisions to make in musical life. Lafitte had a sophisticated harmonic approach to his solos, they always sung and his breathy tone was deeply personal. The various sessions here have him in small group and orchestraformats, all recorded in Paris, and all timeless in quality.
A 1954 sextet session with Raymond Fol at piano and charts, Lafitte delivers a gorgeous “Don’t Blame Me” and a swinging “Love Me Or Leave Me.” The whole team sounds hip on “Blues for Vidi” and Benny Vasseur’s trombone slides safely into third on “Reminiscing Mood.” With Claude Bolling at piano, and Roger Guerin on trumpet, LaFitte fronts an octet that has a bopping “Smoking with Frank and JP” and Lafitte in a lush mood for “My Old Flame.” A swinign “Do Not Disturb” includes a hot little clarinet by Rene Nicholas, with “Genevieve” including rich thoughts by Bolling. A handful of orchestra tunes with Martial Solal on piano includes a dreamy “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” and a wildly exotic “Caravan.” Inspiring!
Pianist Andre’ Persiany had a rich and warm touch on the ivories, and while he was usually featured in a small group settings, these two collections of big band charts is a nice alternative. There is a six song tribute to Count Basie in a 1958 session, and the sax section sways to a hip “Shorty George” and “Jive at Five” with some nice work by Lafitte on “Topsy” and a melancholy “Blue and Sentimental.” A nine piece unit from 1954-55 has a rambunctious and reedy “Halbe Funf”, “Just For Fun” and “Lover Come Back to Me” with Persiany pulling out the organ for a smoky “Blue Organ” that doesn’t let go. Lafitte is as warm as an autumn sunset on “Little Story as well. The liner notes are filled with bon mots; did this guy ever come to the States? We sure missed something!