As this great edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers only recorded one domestically produced album, the classic "Moanin'" on Blue Note in Oct. 1958, this set recorded before a live audience in Paris is especially valuable. This set, recorded at Le Club Saint Germain in December 1958 was done on Blakey's first tour of Europe. The newly re-organized Jazz Messengers had tenor saxophonist Benny Golson as musical director along with the young 20 year old herald of the trumpet, Lee Morgan. Bobby Timmons was the pianist and the "workhorse of the band" was bassist, Jymie Merritt. All of these men were from Philadelphia and were picked for Blakey by Benny Golson, also from Philly. The bulk of the compositions were by Golson and Timmons. It's a treat to hear this band play before a hip and animated crowd and respond in such a musical way. These performances were only available on French RCA Records and were hard to find. This is one of the greatest editions of Jazz Messengers so.......enjoy!

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