A Paris...
WithA Paris, fleet-fingered pianist Jacky Terrasson delivers a soulful and sonic tribute to the City of Light and France. Backed by drummers Terreon Gully andLeon Parker, percussionist Minio Gara,Stefon Harrison marimba, and bassists Remi Vignolo and Ugonna Okegwo, Terrasson--who's worked with vocalistsBetty CarterandCassandra Wilson--reinterprets a number of classic French chansons into a diverse array of jazz idioms. His trio takes of "Plaisir d' Amour," and "Les Chemins de L'Amour" recall the gospel timbre ofAbdullah Ibrahimand the delicate phrasings ofBill Evans. Alto/soprano saxophonist Stefano di Battista adds his snaky lines to the modalMcCoy Tyner-tinged "Jeux Interdits" and to the North African nuances of "L'Aigle Noir." "La Vie en Rose" swings with an Afro-Caribbean beat, while "Ne Me Quitte Pas" and the title track are flavored by Gregoire Maret's Gallic harmonica and Gypsy guitarist Bireli Lagrene. Terrasson's heartfelt waltz rendition of the national anthem, "La Marseillaise," puts Bastille Day in a new jazzy light.--Eugene Holley, Jr.