The name Nathan Davis probably doesn't ring a lot of bells with Jazz fans in this country. As an American Jazz musician he, like so many others before and after him, found acceptance, appreciation and creative freedom over in Europe, where it was virtually impossible, or at least an uphill battle, here at home. Davis established himself as one of the preeminent Tenor and Soprano Sax players in Paris jazz circles throughout the 1960's, before finally returning to the States in 1969. His years in Paris left a rich legacy of memorable sessions, not only with leading French musicians of the day, but with other expats whom he shared an affinity towards.
One of those memorable sessions was recorded on May 7, 1965 for the Societe Francaise de Productions Phonographiques (SFP) label in Paris. And tonight's track, Klook's Theme, kicks off that album. Sadly, this album, and several others Davis recorded in Paris, weren't issued in the U.S. but available only in France for a very long time.
The session features Davis on Sax, Woody Shaw on Trumpet, Jean-Louis Chautemps on baritone Sax, Rene Urtgreger on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums.
Now you know what we were missing over here.
