Legrand Swings With Miles and Coltrane
Legrand's piano writing meets a roster of jazz heavyweights, and the result is a bright, swinging session that feels more like a jam than a sales pitch.
Legrand Jazz opens with the kind of bright, brassy big-band swing that makes you want to tap a foot before you have time to think about it. Michel Legrand is known to most people as a film composer, but here he is working in the jazz idiom with a large ensemble, writing arrangements that keep the horns punchy and the rhythm section loose. The tempos move briskly, the voicings are lush without being syrupy, and the overall feel is warm and a little playful.
What makes the record worth hearing is the personnel. The session pulls in a remarkable group of players, including Miles Davis on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Bill Evans on piano, and Paul Chambers on bass. Davis and Coltrane were both in the middle of major stretches of their careers when this was recorded, and it is interesting to hear them working inside Legrand's charts rather than leading the band themselves. Evans brings his characteristic touch to the keyboard, and the solos are short and to the point, which suits the arranged format.
As a place to start with Legrand, this is a solid choice if you already enjoy big-band jazz and want to hear his writing on a more straightforward jazz date. It is not his most adventurous album, and listeners looking for his film work or vocal records will find something different here. It is best understood as a well-crafted, enjoyable session by a composer who knew how to get great players to sound their best.
Who's playing
Paul Chambersdouble bass
Jerome Richardsonbaritone saxophone, bass clarinet
Major Holleydouble bass, tuba
Milt Hintondouble bass
Bill Evanspiano
Hank Jonespiano
Nat Piercepiano
Barry Galbraithguitar
John Coltranetenor saxophone
Phil Woodsalto saxophone
Ben Webstertenor saxophone
Teo Macerobaritone saxophone
Seldon Powelltenor saxophone
Gene Quillalto saxophone
Miles Davistrumpet
Donald Byrdtrumpet
Art Farmertrumpet
Ernie Royaltrumpet
Joe Wildertrumpet
Eddie Berttrombone
Billy Byerstrombone
Jimmy Clevelandtrombone
Frank Rehaktrombone
Herbie Mannflute
Kenny Dennisdrums
Don Lamonddrums
Osie Johnsondrums
Eddie Costavibraphone
Don Elliottvibraphone
Betty Glamannharp
Jim BuffingtonFrench horn
Where next?
The musicians on this record
Kind of Blue 1959
Miles Davis
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
Giant Steps 1960
John Coltrane
plays tenor saxophone here
plays tenor saxophone here
Portrait in Jazz 1960
Bill Evans
plays piano here
plays piano here
Byrd in Flight 1960
Donald Byrd
plays trumpet here
plays trumpet here
