In the pantheon of great jazzmen of the Swing Era, Charlie Christian undoubtedly holds a place of honor. Discovered by John Hammond (producer of Benny Goodman and also the discoverer of the great Count Basie), Charlie Christian established himself as one of the most influential guitarists in the history of jazz. He was the first to introduce the electric guitar to jazz. With his improvisations and his style of accompaniment, he revolutionized guitar playing, just like Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, and Lester Young, all great innovators who left their mark on the history of this music during the flourishing jazz period of the 1930s and 40s. Charlie Christian also stood at the crossroads of two stylistic eras: swing and bebop. The influence of his playing paved the way for most of the mainstream and bebop guitarists who followed him. Moreover, he's my favorite guitarist! With his swing and innovative ideas that echoed those of my hero, the great saxophonist Lester Young, I always wanted to play his music and the arrangements he immortalized with Benny Goodman and Count Basie, among others…
Since meeting Australian guitarist David Blenkhorn at the Ascona Jazz Festival, this idea slowly took root, until we were finally convinced that the time was right. David is a remarkable musician, deeply connected to swing and possessing boundless musicality. He rose to the challenge! But not to simply copy his style… Joining us is the most experienced bass/drums duo on the French, and indeed international, swing scene: Sébastien Girardot on bass and Guillaume Nouaux on drums. Favorite accompanists for many American and European musicians visiting France, the Blenkhorn/Girardot/Nouaux trio exudes a powerful and authentic swing… Finally, I am very happy to share the stage with Malo Mazurié on trumpet. A true talent of today, and one we will certainly be hearing a lot more of!
Swing is a contagious energy! This orchestra is naturally endowed with it!
Swinging nicely, Michel PastreMichel Pastre: tenor saxophone / Malo Mazurié: trumpet / David Blenkhorn: guitar / Sébastien Girardot: double bass / Guillaume Nouaux: drums
1. Wholly Cats – 4:03
2. On the Alamo – 4:28
3. Shivers – 4:11
4. Stardust – 5:21
5. Breakfast Feud – 3:23
6. Soft Winds – 5:08
7. AC/DC Current – 3:28
8. Memories of You – 3:49
9. Seven Comes Eleven – 4:11
10. Pagin' The Devil – 4:16
11. Solo Flight – 2:41
12. Till Tom Special – 4:29
13 – Gone with “what” Draft – 4:05
A tribute to the genius of the electric guitar, a meteorite that vanished too quickly from the firmament of jazz, to whom we owe so many masterpieces immortalized by Benny Goodman's sextet. Through his improvisations and accompaniment, Charlie Christian revolutionized guitar playing while simultaneously establishing the electric guitar as a staple of jazz. His swing and innovative ideas, reminiscent of those of the great saxophonist Lester Young, made Charlie Christian Michel Pastre's favorite guitarist, who always wanted to play his arrangements.
Michel Pastre has established himself as one of France's most celebrated tenor saxophonists. He initially performed in small ensembles before joining big bands in the 1990s: Paul Chéron's Tuxedo Big Band and Gérard Badini's Super Swing Machine, where he became the star soloist. Winner of the Sidney Bechet Prize from the French Jazz Academy in 1999, he formed his own big band, which triumphed at major jazz festivals. His encounter with the internationally renowned Australian guitarist David Blenkhorn led him to create this swing quintet as a tribute to guitarist Charlie Christian, a legendary figure of the great "Swing" era, alongside Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins, Art Tatum, and Lester Young. The other musicians ensure remarkable cohesion within the quintet, always dedicated to swing and beautiful melodies, among the best on the European classic jazz scene.
