Jazz In Paris, Vol. 99: Harlem Piano In Montmartre

This compilation in Universal Music's vast Jazz in Paris reissue series collects performances by four Americans who went to live and work in Europe, though none of them achieved great fame in the long run. The earliest recordings feature stride pianist Garland Wilson, playing a rather unusual interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" that focuses a lot on the upper end of the keyboard, along with a pair of interesting originals and a romping "China Boy." Of less interest are the pair of duets with singer Nina Mae McKinney. Herman Chittison had the most potential of the pianists heard on this disc, though he recorded erratically as a leader or soloist. His eight solos include delightful treatments of "Honeysuckle Rose," a hard-charging "Bugle Call Rag" (well before it became a bluegrass favorite), along with a swinging "Stormy Weather." Chittison was also a strong writer whose compositions are unjustly overlooked; check out his challenging "You'll Be My Lover." The two vocal tracks with Arita Day are disappointing, as Day is simply not in Chittison's league as a musician. Clarinetist Danny Polo is accompanied by pianist Garland Wilson and drummer Jerry Mengo for a pair of songs, including a perfunctory take of "You Made Me Love You," though he sounds as if he is having some intonation problems. "Montmartre Loan" is probably an original blues, sounding like early New Orleans jazz, with a lot of emphasis on the middle and lower register. The last four selections feature pianist Charlie Lewis with bassist Emmanuel Soudieux and drummer Jerry Mengo. Except for "Some of These Days," most of the material was fairly recent at the time of this 1941 session. His swinging renditions of "Coquette" and "April in Paris" stand out. The midline pricing of this anthology make it very attractive for those wanting to sample less familiar pianists.