Fidgety Feet
LP Atlantic 1363
It’s said in the liner notes: When the De Paris orchestra entered the stage for their first concert in the Antibes Jazz Festival in 1960, the vast audience was not prepared. Apart from the few specialists, they knew nothing about the band, and they, the musicians, knew nothing about the audience. So, they started out with the gas pedal in the bottom and in a frenetic tempo. I don’t know for sure if the tunes on the LP are presented in the actual playing order, but the first two are played with a speed that I would not ever attempt myself, would not recommend, and would not enjoy by any other than this orchestra. On this third one that follows, the tempo is more normally fast, and I enjoy the frenzy that left the spectators amazed.
Except for the brothers De Paris, Wilbur and Sidney, on trombone and cornet, there is Doc Cheatham on trumpet and the fast-fingered Garvin Bushell on clarinet. All are veterans from the 1920s jazz peak, and so are Sonny White, the pianist; Hayes Alvis, on bass; and drummer Wilbert Kirk. I must admit that I don’t know anything about John Smith, who played guitar and banjo on the tour, except what I hear, and that is a very steady beat.
Now, like me, you may have a first reaction that the LP cover was made to sell more copies and has nothing to do with the music. But in fact it’s a photo taken by Wilbur himself of some of the hostesses that worked at the festival. Quite a nice gesture, and I guess that they had a very good time there.