Blakey at Club St. Germain 1958 question

[CJ Shearn]

I have the 2 CD French RCA set, catalog number ND 74897. On "A Night In Tunisia" disc 2, it appears there is an unlisted conga drummer, who is it? Usually the rest of the band members would play hand percussion and such on this tune, but the congas keep playing as everyone else plays their respective instruments. Is it Sabu? who was on almost all of Blakey's percussion sessions from that time.

Also, does this 2 disc set (12 tunes in total) include all of the music from the original 3 LP French boxset? I gave to my friend the "Paris 1958" Bluebird compilation culled from these sessions when I got this set. Thanks in advance

[marcello]

Gana M'bow

[CJ Shearn]

thanks Marcello!

[marcello]

You're welcome.

Here is the rest of the information. I have the original LPs. These are FUN records!

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Lee Morgan (tp) Benny Golson (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d) Kenny Clarke (d -9/12) Gana M'Bow (cga -9/12)

"Club St. Germain", Paris, France, December 21, 1958

1. Politely RCA (F) 430043

2. Whisper Not -

3. Now's the Time -

4. The First Theme -

5. Moanin' with Hazel RCA (F) 430044

6. We Named It Justice -

7. Blues March for Europe, No. 1 -

8. Like Someone in Love -

9. Along Came Manon RCA (F) 430045

10. Out of the Past -

11. A Night in Tunisia -

12. Ending with the Theme -

* Art Blakey - Au Club St. Germain, Vol. 1 (RCA (F) 430043)

* Art Blakey - Au Club St. Germain, Vol. 2 (RCA (F) 430044)

* Art Blakey - Au Club St. Germain, Vol. 3 (RCA (F) 430045)

Edited August 26, 2006 by marcello

[CJ Shearn]

yes they are fun records Marcello, nice that Dusty Groove had the double CD at a good price. I knew that "Tunisia" had more than one drummer, b/c there was some ride cymbal stuff that didn't sound like Blakey. Oddly, the double CD does not list Gana M'bow or Klook at all. I can't read French, but their names aren't in the liners either, thanks again

[brownie]

The "Art Blakey et les Jazz Messengers au Club St. Germain" were originally released on three individual LPs by French RCA.

Kenny Clarke and Gana M'Bow were listed on those vinyls. M'Bow was a popular presence in the Paris music circles at the time.

Photographer Jean-Pierre Leloir took the image of Blakey in full action during the gig that adorned the LP covers and most reissues.

The 'A La Mémoire d'Art Blakey' logo which is on the cover of the posted photo was added for a reissue.

I was a teenage jazz fan in attendance at the Club when this was recorded. Being there at the right time are among the better memories of my youth!

[CJ Shearn]

wow Brownie, that must have been incredible! I wonder if Klook solos on that cut, but it mostly sounds like Bu soloing.

[brownie]

wow Brownie, that must have been incredible! I wonder if Klook solos on that cut, but it mostly sounds like Bu soloing.

Klook solos mostly on the second drum confrontations on that 'Night in Tunisia'. Bu and Klook have pretty distinctive styles but it's a pity that this was recorded in mono only. One of the rare time I miss not having stereo from a session!

Klook was the regular house drummer at the Club Saint-Germain (on the Left Bank) until the time of the Jazz Messengers appearance there in December 1958. He was hired by the owners of the newly-opened Blue Note club (on the Right Bank) and started playing there on January 1, 1959!

[sidewinder]

I've got a French RCA 3LP box reissue of this one. Will have to dig it out today. Pretty enjoyable stuff, as I recall.