Nathan Davis with Georges Arvanitas Trio – Live in Paris – The ORTF Recordings 1966/67

– This record is dedicated to the memory of Nathan Davis –

Gatefold jacket version.
A never-before released Nathan Davis 1966/67 live recordings.
Official release with the full permission and cooperation of the Nathan Davis Estate & INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel).

Nathan Davis, The Hip Doctor.

Style is not a given. Not many musicians reach the level of artistic personality where you can unmistakably recognize them. It takes character, roots, honesty, soulfulness. Nathan Davis had style.
His tone on tenor was unique. So was his soprano sound and his distinctive approach to flute. His musical world was equally original and knew no boundaries.
This concert in Paris is audible proof that as a performer, his fluid phrasing, distinct articulation, booming bottom register, growls and shrieks were fuelled by tremendous drive and furious invention—the man was on fire!
These live sessions demonstrate the limitless invention of Nathan’s solos. Holding no punches, weaving signature phrases, shouts and riffs into his solos, he was a fierce and fervid performer. With a sort of hollow resonance at the heart of his reedy and warm sound, Nathan Davis was a highly original artist, from an era when having a distinct sound on your instrument was the grail of jazz artistry. Harold Land, Jimmy Heath, John Gilmore, Paul Gonsalves, Charlie Rouse, George Coleman, Booker Ervin, Clifford Jordan… Jazz is made of such giants and Nathan Davis was one of them.
– Jean Szlamowicz –

The Hip Walk :

Yesterdays :

A5 :

Mid Evil Dance :

Rules of Freedom :

Blues for Southeast Asia :

Side A & B : recorded at Studio 105 Charles Trenet, Maison de la Radio, Paris, France, November 19, 1966.
Side C, D & E (track 1) : recorded at Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris, October 22, 1967.
Side E (track 2) : recorded at The Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, France, February 9, 1965.

• Side A
  A1   The Hip Walk (N. Davis)  9’21
  A2   Yesterdays (J. Kern)  8’40 (Flute Version)
• Side B
  B1   A5 (N. Davis)  10’39
  B2   Nathalie’s Bounce (N. Davis)  10’17
• Side C
  C1   Love Ye The Neighbor (N. Davis)  12’43
  C2   Mid Evil Dance (N. Davis)  9’53
• Side D
  D1   The Rules of Freedom (N. Davis)  12’15
  D2   The Thing (N. Davis)  13’19
• Side E
  E1   Yesterdays (J. Kern)  14’05 (Sax Version)
  E2   Blues For Southeast Asia (N. Davis)  10’15

Personnel on Side A, B, C, D & E, track 1:

Nathan Davis (saxophone)
Georges Arvanitas (piano and organ)
Jacky Samson (bass)
Charles Saudrais (drums).

Personnel on Side E, track 2:

Jazz aux Champs-Elysées All-Stars :
Nathan Davis (saxophone)
Jack Diéval (piano)
Jacques Hess (bass)
Franco Manzecchi (drums).

Re-Mastered from the original master tapes.
3LP-Set – 180 gr vinyl pressed by Optimal in Germany using the Metal Mothers from Pallas.
Gatefold cover with full size photos by Jean-Pierre Leloir.
Artwork by Jean-Louis Duralek.
Cut at SST Studio in Germany.
Tracks & informations on removable orange strip (OBI).
Notes inside with an essay by Jean Szlamowicz.
Each record has been visually checked to prevent defects.