Search - Jackie Paris :: Sound

A Gem from Jackie

Randy L. Smith | Kobe, Japan | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The death of Jackie Paris in June of 2004 robbed the jazz world of one of its outstanding vocal talents. Too bad he never received the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. Although little known to the general public, Jackie was always a favorite of musicians; indeed, he was about the only vocalist Charlie Parker ever worked with, and he also recorded in the early 50's with Charlie Mingus, hardly one to tolerate vocalists easily.



Jackie recorded only intermittently during his long career, and this record is one of his best from the 1950's. Unlike some of his 50's recordings which feature strings and/or somewhat elaborate band arrangements, this one is pared down to a small jazz group used to very good effect in slightly different combinations of piano, guitar, bass, drums, and tenor saxophonist Eddie Wasserman on a few tracks. The arrangements are functional and unobtrusive and provide an excellent foundation for Paris' flights of vocal improvisation. His warm baritone communicates directly to the listener, and he swings like mad here. Unlike some singers who hide their emotions with superior chops, Jackie just lets it all hang out, although he never oversings or loses that warm feeling. Quite simply, I don't know of a more honest vocalist that Jackie Paris. If the last track on this album (Slow Boat to China) doesn't make you a Paris fan, nothing else will. Check him out!



One more thing: this CD is a Japanese import and, as with most Japanese-produced jazz CD's, is a limited edition which won't be in print for long. True, it's expensive (and the playing time is short), but once it's out of print, it may never be available again."