Michel Legrand | Le grand jazz EP (1958)

Quite spectacular jazz 45 RPM EP with three tracks.

The extensive liner notes identifying personnel can be found below.

A1: In a mist
A2: Stompin' at the Savoy
B: Night in Tunisia

A Discogs description of this record is available here: https://www.discogs.com/release/11043...

I do not own the rights to this recording - this clip is just here for historical purposes.

Sleeve notes:
'While on a visit to the United States in May and June of 1958, Michel Legrand was given the chance to make a jazz dream come truw. The young French conductor/composer/arranger, who is a multi-prize-winning graduate of the Paris Conservatoire and who loves jazz with an almost boyish enthusiasm, received assistance from some of the cream of America's jazz talent in the performance of his daring, striking arrangements of works by the most important jazz composers.
Each arrangement was made with two major factors taken into consideration: 1) the styles and techniques of the participating instrumentalists, and 2) the structure of and mood of the original compositions. Legrand's primary concern was to provide a sympathetic framework for specific soloists or for the collective talent of the brilliant teams he was directing.
Three of the performances are reproduced on this record in all their brilliance. The fact that each composition was written wholly or in part by a great jazzman was the result of a deliberate decision by Legrand not only to pay tribute to his peers, but to attempt to bring the work of these giants into new focus. Bix Beiderbecke's "In a mist", for instance, with its original Debussy-like colouring and mood, is given an added dimensions by Legrand's instinctive rapport with the material at hand, resulting in expressive yet powerful underlining of the solos.
In almost every sense, this record must be considered "experimental". Yet, for all its daring, its surprises, and its moments of flashing virtuosity, it stays within the bounds of jazz. The beat, the spontaneity, the indefinable spirit of jazz is there. Here, then, is the work of Michel Legrand, a truly important new voice in a wilderness where new voices are all too often disembodied. Much more can be expected from this powerful, sincere, and stimulating prodigy.
Michel Legrand (conductor/arranger); Ernie Royal, Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, Joe Wilder (trumpets); Frank Rehak, Jimmy Cleveland (trombones); Gene Quill, Phil Woods (alto saxes); Seldon Powell (tenor sax); Teo Macero (baritone sax); James Buffington (French horn); Don Elliot (vibes); Milt Hinton (bass); Osie Johnson (drums); and Nat Pierce (piano).
The three numbers were recorded in New York on June 30, 1958.'