Dany Doriz - Anthologie Dany Doriz All Stars, 1962-2021 (2021)

The sequence of pearls and unreleased material that has emerged from oblivion. This week, the publication by Frémeaux of an anthology devoted to Dany Doriz: "All Stars, 1962-2001".

Alongside his illustrious career as "patron" of the Caveau de la Huchette, an underground temple of jazz in Paris and the last club in the world where jazz is danced, Dany Doriz is a great master of the vibraphone and an outstanding conductor. Bringing together many rare documents and unpublished sessions, this 3 CD retrospective covers 60 years of jazz history, which the vibraphonist goes through in full swing with an unalterable sense of swing. Spiritual son of Lionel Hampton (dubbed by the master), his career as an instrumentalist began in the early 1960s and would continue an incredible path, with Stéphane Grappelli, Lionel Hampton, Claude Bolling, Rhoda Scott, Sacha Distel, but also Memphis Slim , Manu Dibango or Marcel Azzola…

My mother was a painter, probably at the origin of my artistic fiber. From the age of 4 I study classical music (piano and saxophone for 10 years). After seeing the Modern Jazz Quartet in concert with Milt Jackson, I fell in love with the vibraphone at 16. I took lessons with Geo Daly, French star of the vibraphone, my passion for jazz was born when Geo made me listen to "Plaid" by Lionel Hampton and Art Tatum. I worked on the instrument for several years, several hours every day, a passion that has never left me. In the Jazz Hot of September 1997, Geo touched me by saying “My only student was Dany Doriz… I was more than rewarded… he became an exceptional musician who is not recognized at his fair value, a immense vibraphonist ”. I was very motivated to play, I went down to the 2nd basement of the Slow-Club with the vibraphone, (which had to be set up / taken down) just to make an "ox". Marc Laferrière, a lifelong friend, let me play with his orchestra.

The life of a jazz musician is made up of chapters like a book, and musical adventures are either choices or the result of chance, but all rich in teaching, with beautiful human and artistic encounters. I have played with many soloists and rhythmics, all as talented as they are different.

First professional engagement on February 28, 1959 for the Nuit de l'Île d´Oléron in Paris at the Astor cinema. From 1960, Quintet with Jean-Luc Ponty, Zurich Festival in Switzerland (1961), and sextet with clarinetist Gérard Badini. Great night of jazz Salle Wagram in Paris, I recorded my first disc (33 rpm-25 cm) with Jean-Luc Ponty and Jean Tordo. We wrote our choruses because at the time we weren't able to improvise.

Summer season at the Casino de Cherbourg, and engagement with the "3 Mailletz" (from August 11, 1961 to December 1962) in the orchestra of Michel Attenoux, then Dominique Chanson with Mezz Mezzrow, Albert Nicholas, Peanuts Holland, Don Byas, Benny Waters. Two strong emotions in 1961 when Milt Jackson and the other French star Michel Hausser stepped up to my vibes.

Very many concerts during several years… And in 1972 first recording for Decca with Maxim Saury and Daniel Humair. In January 1970 the opportunity arose: I became the owner of the Caveau de la Huchette, and even if I played there, I was proud to have been able to program “big names” like Art Blakey and his jazz Messengers or the big band by Lionel Hampton. I have also given young musicians a lot of opportunity without limiting the programming to only "stars".

One of the strongest encounters is with Lionel Hampton in 1975 in New York. We make friends - big tours from 1976 on with his big band, where we play together on the same vibraphone and we record at Barclay. I am currently playing on the Musser he gave me.

In the decades 1970-1980, crazy concerts in Holland including the "North Sea Jazz Festival" in 1983 in The Hague with the FLASHBACK QUARTET. These musicians excelled to hellish rhythms. 4 Albums. TV program produced by Bert de Kort with excerpts from "Hi'Ya Sophia" and "I’ve Got Rhythm", provided free of charge. At the same time, and until his death, the trio of famous Belgian bassist Roger Van Haverbeke took me around Belgium. With firefighters blocking the streets, the basket raising the vibraphone in multi-storey clubs, or with the help of a mortician for steep stairs, he manipulated the coffins, then a vibraphone ...

I happily shared concerts and tours with Wild Bill Davis. In trio with drummer Michel Denis, “SWING SYSTEM D” was a real swing machine. Several years of success. Trio chosen by the Hot Club de Limoges to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 1978. Jean-Marie Masse's sonic enthusiasm was a reward. A double album engraved these memorable concerts.