In 2004, Romane and Stochelo Rosenberg recorded Elegance, an album that sealed their friendship and musical partnership. Four years later, they went back into the studio with a quartet to record Double Jeu. Featuring Stephane Huchard on drums and bassist Marc-Michel Le Bevillon, the result is more than just a tribute to the music of Django, but also pays homage to his innovative spirit. This is a must-have album for all guitar fans from one of the premier independent labels of gypsy jazz.

“When a jazz record demonstrates so obviously that it can easily reach a wide audience without sacrificing inventiveness or swing, it’s a pleasure to be seized at once.Generously.” Alex DUTILH, JAZZMAN

Francois Chassagnite was one of the greatest French Jazz trumpeters. He toured around the world and sat in with many of the greats, from Chet Baker to Canadian Gil Evans and Malian Salif Keita. He was a regular organizer of the famous Marciac Jazz Festival's master classes, where he used to invite Wynton Marsalis and other great US Jazz players like Terence Blanchard. Chassagnite passed away last summer and this album was his last recording session.

Classical Music

Classical Music

“Good news for lovers of Brazilian music: the cult-album by the Trio Camara, first released in 1968 on Pierre Barouh’s Saravah label, has finally been reissued. The music made by the trio of Fernando Martins, Edson Lobo and Nelson Serra is in the little-known samba jazz style, an instrumental form in parallel with the bossa nova. New listeners can now discover for themselves the kind of music that was played in the many clubs of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo between 1963 and 1967: masterful performances of standards like Baden Powell’s Berimbau or Edu Lobo’s Upa neguinho appear here alongside rarer themes such as Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Estrada do sol and João Donato’s Muito A vontade. This is popular, accessible music made by musicians of skill and sophistication... a pure marvel. Lovers of Brazilian music are lucky indeed.” Paulo MARTINS

“Pink Turtle uses the ingenuity of jazz and effectiveness of swing to interpret the greatest pop hits from the last thirty years. The verve of these well-known songs is heightened by the seven musicians who bring out the best of the tunes with the addition of jazz harmonies. A refresh­ingly fun album, far from stereotyped intellectual jazz, which takes us back to the essence of swing - true entertainment.” Benjamin Goldenstein & Patrick Fremeaux

The musical that Orson Welles suggested to Duke Ellington, "A Drum Is a Woman" has become a parable in the history of jazz. Created for American television in 1956, Duke Ellington entrusted his disciple and friend Claude Bolling with the European adaptation. Features: A Drum Is a Woman * Rhythm Pum the Dum * What Else Can You Do with a Drum * New Orleans * Hey, Buddy Bolden * Carribee Joe * Congo square * a Drum Is a Woman Part 2 * You Better Know It * Madam Zajj * Ballet of the Flyin' Saucers * Zajj's Dream * Rhumbop * Carribee Joe Part 2 * Final.

Syncopated music has been played across the United States since the early 20th century, but swing first appeared in New Orleans. The unique style of its jazz bands, becoming a veritable trademark, was a major stepping-stone in the artistic history of America. World War II was followed by a surge of freedom as well as the search of jazz in its original form and America rediscovered this gem embedded in its history. This was the period of the New Orleans Revival and its riches are revealed by Dan Vernhettes. This vast panorama, interpreted by the greatest artists, portrays the gumbo jazz of New Orleans: ragtime, blues, marches, dance music, lighter tunes and religious hymns.

This is one of the most “cult” experimental records in the entire history of jazz. Jo Jones, an immense drummer—a pioneering reformer with peerless technique—here gives us a complete demonstration of his art. Part 1 is devoted to drumming technique while Part 2 focuses on the great historical drummers in classical jazz. First released as two separate vinyl records in 1974, these titles were digitized, restored and reassembled in 2002 by Laurent Verdeaux, who also proposed extended versions. This is a vital set: it improves the quality of the listening-experience and increases the historic experimental value while enhancing the quality of the music. Drum-records, of course, but not just for drummers, whether they are amateurs or experts: this set is just as much for musicians, jazz fans, music historians and beat makers of all kinds.

More than a major figure of the 20th century, Louis Armstrong is an incandescent jazz icon, an architect and pioneering founder of jazz music for half a century. One of the greatest trumpeters, Louis lived in Montmartre for a few years before the war, and he felt quite at home. Paris was a city he adored, and the city loved him back. This exceptional concert shows “Pops” at the summit; radiating good humour, he has the audience eating out of his hand. Patrick FReMEAUX The Live in Paris collection by Michel Brillie allows listeners to hear previously-unreleased recordings (made at concerts and private- or radio-sessions) by the great 20th stars in jazz, rock & roll and song. These “live” takes, and the artists’ rapport with their audiences, gives these performances an additional soul and sensibility in counterpoint to the rigorous demands of studio recordings. Particular care was taken when restoring the sound of these tapes in order to meet CD standards while preserving the original colours of the period. Patrick FReMEAUX & Gilles PeTARD

(2-CD Set) Harlem, with it's legendary venues, was perhaps the place where jazz lived it's greatest early years and became one with it's audience.

At times a Cab Calloway-type zany MC, at others a crooner (who makes the language of Goethe look noble in terms of seduction), a big-band entertainer A la francaise like Henri Salvador, or even a whimsical character revisiting French chanson, Robeurt Feneck seems to come straight from the opium-dens of the Roaring Twenties. As a solo excursion for the Pink Turtle drummer (a worldfamous outfit if ever there was), the Mad in Swing orchestra has an excellent fealing for parodies and plays host to almost every style in jazz, from Swing (of course) to Cool Jazz — note the sauce added by Francois Biensan to bring even more zip to the pop of the 70s and 80s — via Cuban music or New Orleans-type gospel. Yes, Robeurt Feneck, the dandy and seducer, sure knows how to please the ladies… Setting the record straight for everyone, this is a disc where pants that don’t reach your ankles never looked so good! Augustin BONDOUX

Recorded in Paris in 1957, 1960 and 1962, this set presents three concerts by Count Basie, the jazz legend and King of Big Band Swing, who modernized jazz during his whole career. Count Basie, like Duke Ellington, will always be remembered for writing some of the finest chapters in orchestral jazz; and Basie was at his peak in the early 60’s, an iconic figure after albums like “April in Paris” or “Atomic Basie”. Here we have some of the greatest big-band pieces in Basie’s book, by composers like Thad Jones, Neal Hefti or Quincy Jones. Today these are unavoidable standards, and this set swings generously, “live” in concert, led by one of the greatest conductors in jazz. Patrick FReMEAUX The Live in Paris collection by Michel Brillie allows listeners to hear previously-unreleased recordings (made at concerts and private- or radio-sessions) by the great 20th stars in jazz, rock & roll and song. These “live” takes, and the artists’ rapport with their audiences, gives these performances an additional soul and sensibility in counterpoint to the rigorous demands of studio recordings. Particular care was taken when restoring the sound of these tapes in order to meet CD standards while preserving the original colours of the period. Patrick FReMEAUX & Gilles PeTARD

This recording unites around Jean-Charles Capon and his six compositions, two exeptional musicians on songs inspired by Paris. Artists that listen to each other, strings that answer to one another, and songs that breath, shared pleasures, astonishing freestyles and an interpretation that enlightens.

A jazz pioneer (the first soloist to be recorded), and the genre’s first great saxophonist — his vibrato was unique, with a typically Creole feeling for syncopation, Sidney Bechet was part of the late 19th century New Orleans generation which formed the exuberant melting-pot that came to be known as jazz. His compositions were unrivalled in sensibility, writing the history of 20th century music and influencing countless musicians. In 2009, his son, Daniel Sidney Bechet, the French-American drummer, wrote a book about him and decided to form a quintet to perpetuate the memory and legacy of his father. Together with Olivier Franc, probably one of the greatest New Orleans jazz specialists (he was awarded the Sidney Bechet Prize by France’s “Academie du Jazz” and the “Hot Club de France” Prize), Daniel-Sidney discovered and arranged two previously-unreleased compositions by Sidney and, fifty years after his father’s disappearance, they went on tour… This recording takes its strength not only from the Bechet bloodline but also from the authenticity in the performance, and the result is a tribute to an artist who commanded a respect we must all share. Augustin BONDOUX & Patrick FReMEAUX

“He doesn’t really know what he wants himself. But I’ll bet my bottom dollar that he’ll get it – or he’ll kill himself trying to get it.” Art Blakey Fremeaux & Associes’ « Quintessence » products have undergone an analogical and digital restoration process which is recognized throughout the world. Each 2 CD set edition includes liner notes in English as well as a guarantee.

(2-CD set) The Mambo - also known as Afro, Cubop or Latin Jazz - is the resulting union between Afro-Cuban music and American jazz. It extended from the swing era in the U.S. before evolving towards bebop. The lavish Mambo, bursting with cheer, induces an irresistible feeling of warmth and nostalgia for the dancing years forever associated with the genre. This collection features Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Manolo Castro, Mariano Merceron, Erskine Hawkins, Machito and others.

(2-CD set) Jacques REDA once said "If one decided to search for the first pianist who coincides with the very essence of the piano, it does not take long to find Teddy Wilson". This 33 track set features Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra, the Chocolate Dandies, Benny Carter and His Orchestra, Teddy Wilson solo, Benny Goodman Trio, Mildred Bailey Swing Band, Coleman Hawkins Four and others. Includes a 32 page booklet with both French and English notes.

This highly enjoyable 14 track CD contains the swinging gypsy guitar music of Rodolphe Raffalli, who interprets the compositions of Django Reinhardt, Billie Holiday, Charles Trenet, Al Jolson, Charles Aznavour and others. Raffalli includes one original song on the CD and is joined by Christian Escoude, Florin Niculescu, Max Robin, Philippe "Doudou" Cuillerier and Antonio Licusati.

Romane is one of the most eminent representatives of gypsy jazz and his compositions have become genuine standards. Fremeaux & Associates has been celebrating the work of this amazing guitarist with a multi-volume series covering his entire career. Volume six, entitled Elegance, is a reissue pairing Romane with Stochelo Rosenberg, a virtuoso self-taught guitarist and indefatigable technician who is now an international icon in gypsy jazz. Their unique playing styles and temperaments are united by their innate sense of swing and their mutual feeling for listening and sharing.

The programm mostly explores standards that Grappelli has performed many times throught the years. Given the success of the first two numbers (the only originals on this date), it is hoped that the two principals will record an encore in the future that concentrates on Bolling's own works. Recommanded. Scott Yanow. Cadence The review of jazz & blues: creative improvised music.

“There was something kind of inevitable about the way Bird played, and it was very direct and very melodic and it transcended the limitations of the horn.” Gerry MULLIGAN The aim of 'The Complete Charlie Parker', compiled for Fremeaux & Associes by Alain Tercinet, is to present (as far as possible) every studio-recording by Parker, together with titles featured in radio-broadcasts. Private recordings have been deliberately omitted from this selection to preserve a consistency of sound and aesthetic quality equal to the genius of this artist.

"Novelty Fox – an “All Stars Combo” led by virtuoso percussionist Jean-Michel Davis – invites us to take a trip into the timeless and imaginary universe of Light Concert Music. Orchestral favorites such as “Belle of the Ball” and “Sleigh Ride” are performed on a smaller scale but with panache, and elicit the sense of Americana that was so dear to Leroy Anderson, the renowned composer of light orchestral music. The Polka caprice “Joyeux Canari” composed by Adolphe Deprince (who was Maurice Chevalier’s celebrated accompanist) and “Bohemian Dream” by Waltz King Jo Privat evoke the alluring atmosphere of Parisian folk dances, enhanced here by seductive and colorful instrumentation. This recording travels through time and encompasses a variety of trends. Its lavish style bridges classical and world music, reuniting its audience around the concept of light and entertaining music that remains, nonetheless, worldly and sophisticated." Patrick Fremeaux & Benjamin Goldenstein

If Django Reinhardt’s “Gypsy Swing” legacy has a worldwide following today – with even mass audiences enjoying its renaissance – we shouldn’t overlook the years when the style went into decline after the death of Django, its Great Architect, in 1953. During years of oblivion, Django’s music was handed down (by ear!) in trailer-parks & caravans, played at gypsy-gatherings in Saint-Ouen, and swapped by collectors of rare records. But it’s no exaggeration to say that a few people managed to save the music from darkness by ensuring its practise amongst musicians from outside that small gypsy circle. And it’s equally unpretentious to say that Romane was one of the pioneering happy few in the course of this music’s revival. Today, Fremeaux & Associes celebrates Romane‘s importance with this first volume of a complete set of his recordings; entitled Swing for Ninine, it is devoted to... the Renaissance! Benjamin GOLDENSTEIN & Patrick FReMEAUX