My Monday Date – 2014
Paris Washboard
Some le jazz hot from France
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Founded in the late 1980s, Paris Washboard with its trombone-clarinet-piano-washboard instrumentation always had its own sound.
The high quality of the musicians (clarinetist Alain Marquet, trombonist Daniel Barda, pianist Louis Mazetier, and Stephane Seva on washboard), their expertise at interpreting 1920s jazz, and the group’s joyful spirit has made Paris Washboard one of the top traditional jazz bands of the past 35 years.
A major asset is the masterful Mazetier who is one of the world’s great stride pianists; this band does not need a bassist.
For their 2014 performance of Earl Hines’ “My Monday Date,” the group is augmented by guest trumpeter Irakli de Davrichewy who at times recalls late 1920s Louis Armstrong.
With its surprising clarinet-trombone tradeoffs, a top-notch stride chorus from Mazetier, and close interplay by trumpet and piano (purposely hinting at Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines), plenty of sparks fly.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald