Martial Solal - The Debut on Discs of Europe’s Greatest Jazz Pianist

An outstanding early American release from Martial Solal, the celebrated French jazz pianist whose sophisticated harmonies, rhythmic invention, and remarkable technique established him as one of Europe’s major modern-jazz voices. Recorded in Paris and issued in Capitol’s “Capitol of the World” series, this album introduced Solal’s work to a wider American audience.

The record presents two sides of Solal. Side One features his trio with Guy Pedersen on bass and Daniel Humair on drums, performing Solal originals including “Ouin-Ouin,” “Thème à Tics,” “Bonsoir,” “Very Fatigué,” and “Middle Jazz.” Side Two places Solal alone at the piano for inventive interpretations of “Darn That Dream,” “Round About Midnight,” “Flamingo,” “Lover Man,” “Anything Goes,” and “The Squirrel.”

Solal worked alongside leading American jazz musicians in Paris, including J.J. Johnson, Kenny Clarke, and Don Byas, and developed a distinctive approach combining bebop sophistication with a highly individual European modern-jazz sensibility. This Capitol Full Dimensional Stereo pressing is an especially appealing piece for collectors of international jazz and important jazz pianists.