Editorial: On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Posted December 07, 2006...five new CDs from German based jazz label ACT, four new CDs from Métisse music composers and writers, three new CDs from East European specialists Asphalt Tango, two from Jaro Medien… and a partridge in a pear tree, of course ! We are getting carried away; Christmas is not quite there yet, but the musical presents are already starting to accumulate and there is plenty of promise for 2007 in evidence in this festive month of December, which is filled with exceptional concerts and with pre-Christmas parties.
This week alone, there are three live jazz events: the concert of the duo Dave Liebman / Mark Copland, the solo piano evening of Giovanni Mirabassi, who could easily have sold out two nights at the Sunside club here in Paris instead of the one that is scheduled, and the Jacky Terrasson evening at the Trianon concert hall, “La Nuit des Musiciens” (the Musicians’ Night) with the great man himself and an illustrious and intriguing cast of invitees, including, of course, long standing allies Michel Portal and Sylvain Luc as well as the beautiful and talented Agnes Bihl with her sparkling and very aware “chanson française” and, lo and behold : Charles Aznavour !
And if ever the trio TOP (Terrasson/Okegwo/Parker) comes your way, do not hesitate a second to buy a ticket for their concert. Their last performances here in France were breathtaking; this is the perfect musical environment for the virtuoso jazz pianist.
Amongst many prizes won for artists and catalogues for which we are and which we represent, in 2006:
Young pianist Michael Wollny and saxophone player Heinz Sauer (Act) are amongst the 12 favourites of the year at the biggest jazz magazine in France, Jazzman, as “Choc de l’Année 2006”.
Kip Hanrahan’s latest Conjure release on American Clavé (licensed in Europe through Enja Records, Harmonia Mundi in France) “BAD MOUTH” comes in at No. 3 at the French/Swiss music monthly Vibrations.
Two Rounder projects, the box set of historic Jelly Roll Morton recordings by Alan Lomax and the latest Irma Thomas recording “AFTER THE RAIN” got awarded the prize of the French Academie Charles Cros and that of the Academie du Jazz, respectively.
Mercan Dede’s “BREATH” on Double Moon (Naïve) and Kal on Asphalt Tango are at number 2 and 3 of the year’s best on the European World Music Charts.
And amongst the releases we are looking forward to in 2007 are new albums by Yaron Herman, jazz pianist, who is recording in January with Matt Brewer (bass) and Gerald Cleaver (drums) for a trio release in the autumn on Laborie Records (Naïve). John Greaves’ “Verlaine” project will certainly be on release in the spring. Jacky Terrasson will at last record his solo for Blue Note; Dave Liebman’s Quest project has been recorded live at the Sunset and will be on release shortly. There will be a remix album and an album with a classical string quartet for the Warsaw Village Band (Jaro) in autumn. The Shin, the Georgian group on Jaro which was a big success at WOMEX will be out in France in the spring also. Rounder “world music” band No Blues will have a second CD on the French market in January 2007, after a surprise hit with their first release “GOODBYE SHALABYE”. This is by no means a complete list, and we are looking forward to passing on further details as time goes on.
To all of you, good tidings, a good turkey and/or other delights, and a very merry end of the year.