Just when you think you’ve heard every swinging guitarist…
Fresh Sound Records has uncovered yet another lost jazz artist that deserves modern appreciation. This time around it’s guitarist Jimmy Gourley, who was born in the Midwest but made his name in France (for reasons laid out in the albums insightful liner notes booklet). This disc features him in various European settings from mostly the early 50s and a bit of 1961, with lots of classy soloing in the vein of Herb Ellis and Johnny Smith.
The first session from Paris is a 1953 outing with the famed pianist Henri Renaud, bassist Pierre Michelot and drummer Jean-Louis Viale, with the latter hips and swinging for the guitarist on “I Love You” and “Changing My Tune”. His bop lines are rich during “It’s De-Lovely” and he digs in with Viale for the grooving “Not Really The Blues”. In October of that year, he’s with Bob Dorough/p, Buddy Banks/b and the indefatigable Roy Haynes/dr for a cool “Buddy Bankds Blues” and a nimble “Almost Like Being In Love” as Haynes’ brushes are in deft support for Courley’s thrilling solo on “A Night In Tunisia”. In 1961, Courely does a TV broadcast and produces a relaxed “How Long Has This Been Going On” and joins with a local Warsaw rhythm team for a Polish gig for a swinging “Three Little Words”. As tasty as a morning baguette!