Louis Sclavis - a French clarinetist from Lyon is a unique figure in world jazz. He has collaborated with many musicians such as Cecil Tylor, Evan Parker, Lol Coxhill, Tony Oxley, Peter Brötzmann, the Brotherhood of Breath by Chris McGregor, Henri Texier and Trilok Gurtu. He is the author of music for films and theater performances. An extremely interesting project, for which Sclavis wrote music, was the silent French film "Dans la nuit", inspired by fine arts. He also collaborated with outstanding musicians and composers of classical music, including: Brian Ferneyhough and Pierre Boulez.
"Ellington On The Air" is no mere homage to a great predecessor. It is definitely something more. It's a kind of re-creation. Sclavis himself says "This recording is neither a parody nor an embalming, Ellington's achievements are a starting point, his presence in the language of jazz is very inspiring, we found a common thread connecting what has been done with what is now."
Variations on Ellington themes captivate with their intimate character, depth and coherence. The clarinetist Louis Sclavis is, of course, the leading figure here, but it is impossible not to mention the violinist Dominique Pifarely, the double bassist Bruno Chevillon and the pianist François Raulin. Sclavis will have a long-term friendship with the first two.
The leader himself, endowed with extraordinary improvisational freedom, musicality and the original sound of the clarinet, ensures the judiciously dosed performance virtuosity of individual instrumentalists, resulting in a unique, well-planned and well-thought-out work. This is why we appreciate Louis Sclavis! - Mateusz Krępski / multikulti.com
Ellington on the air is much more than a simple homage to Duke Ellington: it is a real recreation. As Louis Sclavis himself reminds us: Neither parody nor embalming, but presence, starting point, common thread, inspiration.
Tracks
01. Caravan (J. Tizol/D. Ellington) / Caravalse (A. Gilbert))
02. Prelude (G. Marais) / Prelude To A Kiss (D. Ellington)
03. Jubilee Stomp (D. Ellington) / J'oublie F. Raulin) / Jubilee Stomp (D. Ellington)
04. Bakiff (J. Tizol)
05. Indigofera Tinctoria B. Chevillon / Mode Andy Go (A. Emler)
06. Heaven (D. Ellington)
07. Harlem Pancake (L. Sclavis) / A Tone Parallel To Harlem (D. Ellington) / West Indian Pancake (D. Ellington)
08. Black And Tan Fantasy (B. Miley/D. Ellington)
LOUIS SCLAVIS clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano saxophone
BRUNO CHEVILLON acoustic bass
FRANÇOIS RAULIN piano, keyboards, melodica
DOMINIQUE PIFARELY electric and acoustic violin
YVES ROBERT trombone
FRANCIS LASSUS drums, fedounoun, kélès
Recorded December 1991 at Gimmick Studio, Yerres, France
(8) Recorded live at Théâtre d'Aubagne on February 11, 1992
IDA Records IDA 032 CD