Don Byas - Jazz in Paris: Laura

Title: Jazz in Paris: Laura Artist: Don Byas Release Date: 6/5/2001 Re-Released On: 4/30/2007 Label: Verve, Emarcy Album Type(s): Greatest Hits, Instrumental UPCs: 044001302725, 0044001302725, 602498420010 Genre: Jazz Styles: Bop, Swing, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz Moods: Earnest, Passionate, Sophisticated, Amiable/Good-Natured, Energetic, Freewheeling, Reverent, Exuberant, Intimate Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Summertime
2. Night and Day
3. Easy to Love
4. Where or When
5. Flamingo
6. Stardust
7. Ol' Man River
8. The Man I Love
9. Georgia on My Mind
10. Over the Rainbow
11. Laura
12. Somebody Loves Me
13. Old Folks at Home
14. Riviera Blues (Blues à la Don)
15. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
16. I Cover the Waterfront
17. It's the Talk of the Town
18. A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody

Year Type Label Catalog # 2007 CD Emarcy 9842001 2001 CD Verve 36714

Laura

Don Byas was a giant of the tenor sax, though his accomplishments were all but overlooked in his native land once he moved to Europe for good. This CD from Universal Music's Jazz in Paris series compiles three separate studio sessions from the early '50s, all with different rhythm sections. Most of the tracks are standard ballads, featuring the leader throughout. His expressive take of "Laura" shows off a big tone with a bit of vibrato much like Ben Webster in his later years. The one original is his snappy "Riviera Blues," a lively number likely improvised on the spot. Had he remained in the U.S., it is possible that Don Byas might have been ranked along with Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster in the top echelon of tenor saxophonists, so anyone unfamiliar with his work should seek out this very affordable collection. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Name Credits Alain Tercinet Liner Notes Art Simmons Piano Benny Bennett Drums Bill Clark Drums Christophe Henault Digital Remastering Daniel Richard Production Coordination Don Byas Sax (Tenor) Jean-Pierre Sasson Guitar Joe Benjamin Double Bass Martin Davies English Translations Maurice Vander Piano Roger Grasset Double Bass