Géo Daly and Claude Marchand

Rare and Obscure Jazz Albums Collection

Géo Daly

Géo Daly et son Orchestre de La Rose Rouge

and

Claude Marchand

Dancing-Party à Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Vibraphonist Géo Daly was one of the defining voices of postwar French jazz. With brilliant technique, a bright, propulsive sound, and a constant urge to evolve, he established himself in the late 1940s as France's leading vibraphonist, bringing to the instrument both the exuberance of Lionel Hampton and a modern European sensibility of his own. After early success with the celebrated Edwards Band, Daly became a central figure at La Rose Rouge, the legendary Saint-Germain-des-Prés cabaret at the heart of Parisian nightlife.

The recordings gathered here capture Daly at his peak: vibrant, inventive, and irresistibly swinging. Joined by a remarkable cast—including Michel de Villers, Christian Chevallier, Bill Tamper, André Ross, Alix Bretand, Bernard Planchenault—he evokes the sound of a Paris where jazz flourished until dawn.   Released in 1958, Dancing-Party at Saint-Germain-des-Prés captures the vibrant spirit of Parisian jazz at a defining moment. The album introduced two rising talents of the French scene: pianist and singer Mimi Perrin, later internationally acclaimed with Les Double Six, and guitarist Pierre Cullaz, whose refined playing would make him one of France’s leading jazz guitarists.

With a lively blend of swing, chanson atmosphere, and Left Bank sophistication, these recordings evoke the clubs and cabarets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, where modern French jazz found its own voice. A rare and charming snapshot of an era, this album stands today as both a musical delight and an important historical document. *Jordi Pujol*

If you think all of today's jazz sounds the same, you’re probably correct, as there are more imitators now than creators. Spain’s Fresh Sound Records looks forward by looking back to a day when artists painted with a different-colored brush, both in the US and abroad.

It was definitely April in Paris when Frenchie Géo Daly (vib) teamed up with Christian Chevallier (p), Alix Bret (b), Bernard Planchenault (dr), André Ross (ts), Bill Tamper (tb), and Michel de Villers (bar) for some chestnuts in blossom on this 1953 session. Daly's vibes hint at Milt Jackson on a lovely "Day Dream", while Chevallier's material, such as "Prez Wiggins" and "Cat Trick", has a full-bodied bounce. A larger ensemble sounds like the background for a film on "The Day of the Fog" and "The Night of the Cat", with vocalist Mimi Perrin accompanying herself on piano alongside a team of Claude Marchand (as), Pierre Cullaz (g), Jacques Perrin (b), and Jean-Pierre Drouet (dr), bringing a June Christy-ish coo to "How About You", "Fine and Dandy", and a peppy "Just One of Those Things". Bop with a beret. *George W. Harris (jazzweekly.com)*

1 - Prez Wiggins

(Christian Chevallier)

2 - Illya

(Christian Chevallier)

3 - Golden Skyes

(Christian Chevallier)

4 - Cat Trick

(Christian Chevallier)

5 - Tabou

(Ernesto Lecuona)

6 - À La New Daly

(Christian Chevallier)

7 - Katie

(Christian Chevallier)

8 - Wedding Day

(Christian Chevallier)

9 - Day Dream

(Ellington, Strayhorn)

10 - I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good

(Ellington, Webster)

11 - The Day Of A Dog

(Géo Daly)

12 - The Night Of A Cat

(Raymond Le Sénechal)

13 - Motion

(Jimmy Raney)

14 - I Cover The Waterfront

(Green, Heyman)

15 - Fine And Dandy

(Kay Swift)

16 - Walkin'

(Richard Carpenter)

17 - Just One Of Those Things

(Cole Porter)

18 - Speak Low

(Kurt Weill)

19 - We'll Be Together Again

(Fischer, Laine)

20 - Fluted Columns

(Bud Shank)

21 - How About You?

(Lane, Freed)

22 - What's New?

(Haggart, Burke)

#1 to #8:

from the LP Géo Daly et son Orchestre de La Rose Rouge (Vogue LD 184)

#9, #10:

from the 10-inch 78 rpm Géo Daly et son Orchestre (Vogue V 3327)

Géo Daly (vibes), Bill Tamper (trombone), André Ross (tenor sax),

Michel de Villers (baritone sax),Christian Chevallier (piano),

Alix Bret (bass), Bernard Planchenault (drums.

Recorded in Paris, April 5, 1953

#11, #12:

from the LP Géo Daly et son Orchestre (Columbia FP 1059)

Géo Daly (vibes), Fred Gerard, Bernard Hulin, Jean Liesse (trumpets);

André Paquinet, Charles Verstraete, Benny Vasseur, Gaby Vilain (trombones);

Francis Weisc (clarinet, alto sax); Marcel Cauvin (alto sax); André Ross (tenor sax);

Pierre Guillotin (baritone sax); Raymond Le Senechal (piano);

René Duchaussoir (guitar); Alix Bret (bass); Bernard Planchenault (drums).

Recorded in Paris, June 27, 1955

#13 to #22:

from the LP Dancing-Party à Saint-Germain-des-Près (Club National du Disque CV208)

#13 to #17: 

Claude Marchand (alto sax), Mimi Perrin (piano, vocals [#15, #17]);

Pierre Cullaz (guitar), Jacques Perrin (bass), Jean-Pierre Drouet (drums).

Recorded in Paris 1958

#18 to #22: 

Claude Marchand (alto sax), Jean-Pierre Drouet (piano), Pierre Cullaz (guitar),

Jacques Perrin (bass), Jean-Louis Conrozier (drums), Mimi Perrin (vocals [#19, #21]).

Recorded in Paris 1958