Long-time partners André Villéger and Alain Jean-Marie have masterfully concocted the album “Benny’s Keys”, featuring compositions by Benny Golson, an important saxophonist in the history of jazz, who produced numerous records under his own name and led Art Blakey’s “Jazz Messengers” over the course of a prolific career, before beginning his association with Art Farmer in the famous “Jazztet”.
From the very first bars of Along Came Betty, the first track in the collection, the tone is set. As Xavier Prévost rightly points out, we discern that subtle touch of melancholy often present in Benny Golson’s compositions (I Remember Clifford, Whisper Not, Park Avenue Petite).
We find the sense of the right note, the elegance of phrasing, the way of restoring the beauty of a melody that characterize André Villéger‘s discourse, here in perfect harmony with Benny Golson’s musical universe, whose profound meaning is expressed by his composition Benny’s Changes and Alain Jean-Marie‘s subtle playing.
They are inspired by the invigorating pulse generated by Thomas Bramerie and the rhythmic inventiveness of Antoine Paganotti.
A fine achievement by the Camille Productions label and a successful tribute to the memory of a great musician who recently passed away.
Line Up:
André Villéger – saxophone ténor
Alain Jean-Marie – piano
Thomas Bramerie – contrebasse
Antoine Paganotti – batterie
Recorded on June 17 & 18, 2024 at Studio de Meudon.
Benny’s Keys was released by label Camille Productions, on November 29, 2024 ; the album is a “Selection” on air on Couleurs Jazz Radio. it is a “Hit Couleurs Jazz“
Translated with the help of www.DeepL.com/Translator
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