Larry Young - Larry Young In Paris (2016) [DSD128 & Hi-Res]

Larry Young was a pioneer and explorer who transcended genres and audiences, pushing the boundaries of the keyboard farther than any other jazz organist. Containing over 99 minutes of newly discovered recordings, this album represents Larry Young both as a leader and sideman and constitutes a snapshot of a pivotal moment in jazz in a particularly iconic place and time: Paris in the mid-’60s, which turned out to be a crucible for some of the most important figures in progressive jazz: Eric Dolphy, Woody Shaw and Larry Young.

Musicians featured on these recordings include trumpet legend Woody Shaw, tenor saxophonist and bandleader Nathan Davis and drummer Billy Brooks. An international cast of supporting players — pianist Jack Diéval, tenor saxophonist Jean-Claude Fohrenbach and bassist Jacques B. Hess; Italian drummer Franco Manzecchi, Jamaican trumpet player Sonny Grey and Guadaloupean percussionist Jacky Bamboo — round out the personnel. This album marks the first new release of Larry Young music in 38 years.

We are fortunate to have here a document of Larry Young’s time in Paris which was recorded at the old ORTF studio before he returned to New York and recorded a flurry of important Blue Note albums through 1969. This album has 2 additional bonus tracks which were recorded live in Paris’ La Locomotive club.

It’s been nearly 38 years since there has been a new release under his name. In the case of this album, it’s particularly exciting because none of this music has ever been heard before except on its performance in France five decades ago.

Thirty-eight is also, sadly, the short number of years Young was on this earth. This album is a tribute to his memory.

The most obvious difference between Larry and all of the organists who preceded him is his approach to harmony. He was the first modal player on the organ and he built his chords on fourths, rather in the manner of McCoy Tyner. Perhaps also, it was the way he played the draw bars or comped when he played with other musicians that contributed to his unique and recognizable sound and approach. And as you’ll note from reading Larry Young III’s and John Koenig’s essays in the PDF insert, it’s remarkable that Larry Young’s first piano teacher, Ms. Olga von Till, was a student of Béla Bartók in Hungary, which must have had an impact on his musical development from a very early age..

Larry Young, organ, piano
Woody Shaw, trumpet
Nathan Davis, tenor saxophone
Billy Brooks, drums
Jack Diéval, piano
Jean-Claude Fohrenbach, tenor saxophone
Jacques B. Hess, bass
Franco Manzecchi, drums
Sonny Grey, trumpet
Jacky Bamboo, percussion

2xHD Mastering by: René Laflamme and André Perry
2xHD Executive Producer: André Perry