We've been bouncing around the world this week as I highlight worthy albums by non-U.S. jazz artists who may be new to you. Today is no exception. Christian Chevallier is barely known in the States, yet he's one of the finest French big band arrangers of the 1950s. What set Chevallier apart was his ability to produce American-style big band arrangements and rehearse French bands so they sounded like Hollywood studio ensembles of the era. I guarantee that if I gave you a blindfold test featuring Chevallier's recordings and asked you to name the band and arranger, you would likely reply "Bill Holman" or "Johnny Richards." Chevallier was that remarkable, and the bands he led were that extraordinary.
I can honestly say that the new two-CD set Christian Chevallier: Le Prince Du Jazz Francais, His Orchestra and Small Groups 1955-1961 (Fresh Sound) is the most satisfying big band album I've heard in some time. I know many of you are Stan Kenton and Shorty Rogers fans. Chevallier's recordings are in the same league. Which is remarkable, since the tracks were written and recorded in France with mostly French musicians.
Born in Angers, France, in 1930, Chevallier began studying music at age 8 and entered the Nantes' music conservatory at 11. When he was 13, he won second prize during a major piano competition. As Allied bombing intensified during the liberation of France, his family moved to the country, keeping him from the piano for nearly four years. Chevallier returned to music in 1947 when a friend turned him on to jazz recordings. After he heard jazz pianist Jack Dieval on the radio, Chevallier moved to Paris.
Eventually, Chevallier played with Don Byas, but jazz opportunities were slim in the late 1940s, taking a back seat to pop music heavy on nostalgia for prewar France. In 1951, cabaret singer Juliette Gréco hired Chevallier for her orchestra, but the job still wasn't jazz. Eager to perform and arrange jazz, Chevallier got his wish in the mid-1950s, when he led and arranged ensembles. By then there was plenty of work. The French record industry had picked up as the economy improved, phonographs became cheaper, more American musicians played in Paris, and French and U.S. labels cut distribution deals.
The beauty of this new two-CD set is the many different Chevallier ensembles included here. The first CD features seven different Chevallier groups while the second adds five more. Of the 50 tracks, not one is a dud. Which is rather remarkable. Among my favorite groups was Chevallier's big band in 1955. The orchestra featured: Fred Gerard, Christian Bellest, Roger Guerin, Robert Fassin and Fernand Verstraete (tp); Benny Vasseur, Michel Paquinet, Andre Paquinet and Gaby Vilain (tb); Christian Kellens (b-tb); Armand Migiani and Jean Aldegon (as); Jean-Louis Chautemps and Bobby Jaspar (ts); William Boucaya (bar); Fats Sadi (vib,bgo); Christian Chevallier (p); Pierre Michelot (b) and Christian Garros (d).
The songs were all originals and the arrangements were top shelf. If you didn't know better, you'd think these were recorded in Los Angeles. And if you think I'm blowing hot air, dig for yourself. Here's Chevallier's band in November 1955 playing his composition and arrangement of Vline (far superior to Chet Baker's big band cover of Chevallier's arrangement recorded a month earlier in Paris)...
I'm guessing that Chevallier after 1961 spent much of his time arranging and conducting for French television, since he seems to disappear from the jazz scene. In Tom Lord's Jazz Discography, Chevallier pops up after 1961 only playing vibes as a sideman in 1971, on a Stéphane Grappelli album in 1977 as the session conductor, and on Sam Most's Any Time, Any Season in 1986 as arranger of the string section. Chevallier died in 2008.
Perhaps our French friends can inform us of Chevallier's career post-1961.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Christian Chevallier: Le Prince Du Jazz Francais, His Orchestra and Small Groups 1955-1961 (Fresh Sound) here and here. Do yourself a favor and just download or buy it. The collection is a must own.
JazzWax clip: Here's B.S.O.P. from Chevallier's 1955 French Columbia album called Formidable! It can slip right onto Stan Kenton's Contemporary Concepts album with arrangements by Bill Holman, released that same year...
