Donald Byrd & Bobby Jaspar – Cannes 58 (LP, Sam Records)

A never-before-released 1958 live recording by Donald Byrd & Bobby Jaspar, released for the first time on vinyl with the full permission and collaboration of the INA (Institut National de l’Audiovisuel). In 1958 Donald Byrds traveled to Paris to study with the composer Nadia Boulanger. His stay led to the formation of one of the biggest bands of his career, featuring Bobby Jaspar on tenor sax and flute, Walter Davis, Jr. on piano, Doug Watkins on bass and Art Taylor on drums. Sam Records is proud to present this previously unreleased concerto by the Donald Byrd/Bobby Jaspar Quintet. The recording was made at the first and only jazz festival in Cannes on July 11, 1958. The initiative for this festival came from Yvonne Blanc, a high society lady who played the piano and lived between Paris and Cannes. This festival was organized in partnership with the Knokke-le-Zoute Festival in Belgium.