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Guy Lafitte's Quartet and Quintet

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Paris was loaded with French saxophonists in the years immediately after World War II. Native-born eed players included Alix Combelle, Michel de Villers, Michel Attenoux, William Boucaya, Maurice Meunier, Andre “Teddy" Hameline and Andre Debonneville, Armand Conrad, to name a handful. One of the best of the French soloists was Guy Lafitte (above). More on him in a minute.

There are several reasons for the explosion of reed talent in the French capital in the late 1940s and early '50s. First, the saxophone originated in France, so there were plenty of them around. Second, Paris was a recording center during this period with quite a few superb labels, including Barclay, Vogue, Club Du Disque, Pathe as well as Columbia, Philips and others based on foreign countries. And third, a greater number of American jazz saxophonists traveled to Paris on tour to play at the city's many theaters and Left Bank clubs, inspiring French musicians.

Lafitte began as a self-taught accordionist. He then played clarinet in bands. By the early 1950s, he toured with Big Bill Broonz and Mez Mezzrow. He also began recording regularly with Geo Daly, one of the great French vibraphonists. Lafitte's reed influences include Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Herschel Evans and Lucky Thompson.

On Guy Lafitte's Tenor Sax: With His Quartette and Quinette (Fresh Sound), Lafitte appears with ultiple groups. On the first five tracks, recorded in May 1954—Blue and Sentimental, She's Funny That Way, Stardust, Where Or When and Krum Elbow Blues— he's backed by Daly (vib), Raymond Fol (p), Alix Bret (b) and Bernard Planchenault (d).

On the next eight—If I Had You, I've Got the World on a String, Get Happy, I Cover the Waterfront, I Got Rhythm, Melodie au Crepuscule, Sweethearts on Parade and Topsy—Lafitte's quintet is backed by Daly (vib), Andre Persiany (p), Buddy Banks (b) and Jacques David (d). These were recorded in May 1954.

In March 1955, Lafitte recorded again with his quintet: Daily (vib), Persinay (p), Jacques “Popoff" Medvedko (b) and Teddy Martin (d). They played If I Could Be With You, Jubilee and Chase a La Baute.

Finally, Lafitte recorded another quintet date in June 1956 for Columbia, featuring Lafitte (ts), Daly (vib), Jean-Pierre Sasson (g), Jean-Claude Pelletier (p), Paul Rovere (b) and Christian Garros (d).

On ballads, Lafitte had a firm and intense sound, pulling up all the feeling he could muster. On up-tempo tunes, Lafitte swings easily with terrific solo command. Which is rather interesting. Hard bop hadn't reached Paris yet, so the material, including the original tunes for the 1956 session, have a swing-era feel with bebop sprinkled in. Which doesn't sound dated at all, since French jazz is melody-driven and sounds so darn tasteful.

Guy Lafitte died in 1998.

JazzWax tracks: You'll Find Guy Lafitte's Tenor Sax (Fresh Sound) here.

JazzWax clips: Here's Guy Lafitte playing I've Got the World on a String...



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This story appears courtesy of JazzWax by Marc Myers.
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