Raymond Fol

[thomastreichler]

While writing this post I am listening to Raymond Fol's solo piano on Echoes of Harlem, vol. 110 of the Jazz in Paris series, originally recorded in 1975. What a wonderful record! This is my introduction to an artist who until now I wasn't aware of. As Alain Tercinet says in his liner notes: "He [Raymond Fol] was a faultless technician, and he'd forged an original style that encompassed all the schools of jazz piano while owing allegiance to none ...". He has a beautiful touch, a strong left hand, complete mastery of the instrument and an elegant style.

His discography seems to be very small. Are there any recommenadtions?

[bichos]

and don´t forget his brother hubert fol on alto-sax. also most forgotten today and with a small discography. as i remember he had a lot of troubles in his life and a sad and early ending.

keep boppin´

marcel

[gmonahan]

While writing this post I am listening to Raymond Fol's solo piano on Echoes of Harlem, vol. 110 of the Jazz in Paris series, originally recorded in 1975. What a wonderful record! This is my introduction to an artist who until now I wasn't aware of. As Alain Tercinet says in his liner notes: "He [Raymond Fol] was a faultless technician, and he'd forged an original style that encompassed all the schools of jazz piano while owing allegiance to none ...". He has a beautiful touch, a strong left hand, complete mastery of the instrument and an elegant style.

His discography seems to be very small. Are there any recommenadtions?

Raymond Fol appears on several other entries in the Jazz in Paris series. Vol. 66 is "Les Quatres Saisons" recorded in 1965 under his name with tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. He's also on volume 24 with Guy Lafitte, volume 46 with Lionel Hampton, volume 54 with Hubert Rostaing, and volume 86 with Gerard Badini. He also recorded some sessions with Dizzy Gillespie in 1952-53 that were reissued on Vogue (titled "Dizzy Songs"). An interesting pianist.

[king ubu]

Yes, Fol's "Les quatre saisons" is a good one - all too easily overlooked! Griffin is a great asset, of course, but the whole disc is fine!

Have yet to get the JiPs from 102 on...

Hubert Fol, his alto sax playing brother, can be heard on a marvellous short session on the "Saxophones" JiP compilation - that one is recommended, anyway, as it adds more fine Sonny Criss tunes to Criss' own "Mr. Blues pour Flirter". It also contains a short date by Michel de Villers.

[gmonahan]

Yes, Fol's "Les quatre saisons" is a good one - all too easily overlooked! Griffin is a great asset, of course, but the whole disc is fine!

Have yet to get the JiPs from 102 on...

Hubert Fol, his alto sax playing brother, can be heard on a marvellous short session on the "Saxophones" JiP compilation - that one is recommended, anyway, as it adds more fine Sonny Criss tunes to Criss' own "Mr. Blues pour Flirter". It also contains a short date by Michel de Villers.

That's a cool compilation. Brother Hubert was also on the "Dizzy Songs" cd I mentioned before and JiP volume 90 with Django as well as two tracks of the Sacha Distel "hors-serie" 2-cd set. I do love that Jazz in Paris series!

[brownie]

Good to see Raymond Fol getting some recognition. An excellent pianist and a very nice person. Duke Ellington thought highly of Fol who was always around when the Duke was in Paris. Ellington had Raymond Fol play a tune at most of his concerts in Paris.

Fol makes nice contributions to a couple of Guy Lafitte that were reissued a couple of years ago by French RCA 'Blues in Summertime' and 'Sugar and Spice'.

Raymond Fol was also the piano player who was hired for a short while by Chet Baker right after Dick Twardzik passed away.

[king ubu]

Yes, Fol is on quite a few nice discs, but I usually forget about his presence... certainly if his contributions weren't good he'd be noticed in a bad way... but he seems to be indeed an unsung guy... will have to play these two Lafittes again soon - always loved "Blues in Summertime"!

[Van Basten II]

Bought the Echoes of Harlem CD, very impressed, enjoyed especially the title track. Thanks for the thread that made me aware of a fellow that went under my radar. I know also he appeard in the collection Les trésors du jazz.