Rediscovering

Looking back, 44 years after the passing of pianist Raymond Fol (1928-1979), it ishard to understand why neither in life nor after his death was he recognized as he deserved. It is only possible to think that perhaps it was because of his modesty and discretion that Raymond never became as famous as other French pianists of his generation.

Compared to themany excellent recordings of his as a sideman during the 1950s ―the golden age of jazz in France― his discography as a leader was reduced to a single EP which evidently did not help himachieve the same status as such pianists as Martial Solal, René Urtreger, Maurice Vander, or Henri Renaud, to name a few. Despite everything, we can say that Raymond Fol was a respected and admired musician, both by critics and fans, but little valued by the record companies of those years. His melodic yet swinging style meshed equally with traditional, mainstream, and modern jazz artists, always with exquisite elegance and good taste. This double CD presents a series of recordings, most of them previously unissued, which allow us to rediscover several of the facets that characterized his striking and expressive personality.

As Michel Laverdure wrote in JazzMagazine: “It is important that those who love jazz never forget Raymond Fol.”

―Jordi Pujol

Personnel on CD 1:
Tracks #1-4: Raymond Fol (p), Michel Finet (b), Jean-Baptiste “Mac Kac” Reilles (d).
Recorded at Club Saint-Germain, Paris, April 13, 1956
Tracks #5-11: Raymond Fol (p), with unknown, bass & drums.
Recorded in Paris, 1957-1958
Tracks #12-13: Annie Fratellini (vcl), Roger Guerin (tp), Raymond Fol (p), Sacha Distel (g), Pierre Michelot (b), Kenny Clarke (d).
Recorded in Paris, 1958
Track #14: Raymond Fol (p), Gilbert “Bibi” Rovère (b), Gilberto Cupini (d).
Recorded in Rome, March 26, 1959
Tracks #15-17: Nunzio Rotondo (tp), Enzo Scoppa (ts), Raymond Fol (p), Gilbert “Bibi” Rovère (b), Gilberto Cupini (d).
Recorded in Rome, March 26, 1959
Tracks #18-21: Raymond Fol (p), Gilbert “Bibi” Rovère (b), Christian Garros (d).
Recorded in Paris, October, 1960
Tracks #22-23: Raymond Fol (p), Gilbert “Bibi” Rovère (b), Philippe Combelle or Charles Bellonzi (d).
Recorded in Paris, circa 1960

Personnel on CD 2:
Tracks #1-4: Raymond Fol (p), Gilbert “Bibi” Rovère (b), Charles Bellonzi (d).
Recorded in Paris, circa 1961. Alliance Française, Paris, 1962 (#3).
Maison de la Radio, Strasbourg, February 23, 1963 (#4)
Track #5: Raymond Fol (p), Michel Gaudry (b), Charles Bellonzi (d).
Recorded at the Theatre des Capucines, Paris Decembre 7, 1964
Track #6: Raymond Fol (p), Donald Byrd (tp), H. Fol (as), Michel Gaudry (b), Art Taylor (d).
Recorded at the Theatre des Capucines, Paris, Decembre 7, 1964
Tracks #7-9: Raymond Fol (p), Alby Cullaz (b), Charles Bellonzi (d).
Recorded at Salle 105, Maison de l’O.R.T.F., Paris, May 22, 1965
Tracks #10-15: Raymond Fol Septet: Roger Guerin, Maurice Thomas, Ivan Jullien (tp); Raymond Fol (p); Jean-Charles Capon (cello); Luigi Trussardi (b); René Nan (d).
Recorded at Salle 105, Maison de l’O.R.T.F., Paris, April 22, 1967

This CD is dedicated to the memory of Raymond Fol, but also to all the musicians who appear on these recordings and who, with the exception of Charles Bellonzi and Enzo Scoppa, are unfortunately no longer with us.

Number of Discs: 2

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.