Bye Bye Blues – 2015
James Carter
The tenor-saxophonist jams with a few of the top French gypsy jazz players
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The virtuosic James Carter, who can play any reed instrument with ferocity and has a full understanding of each instrument’s history in jazz, has frequently performed in gypsy jazz settings, often playing the music of Django Reinhardt.
In 2015 Carter teamed up with a pair of French guitarists (Pierre Manetti and Romane) and violinist Mathias Levy for an informal and swinging version of “Bye Bye Blues.”
Carter rips into the piece during his wide-ranging solo, there are strong spots for Levy, Romane and Manetti (who takes honors), and the tenor really cuts loose during his tradeoff with the violinist.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald