STEVEDORE BY DAY, JAZZMAN BY NIGHT

JACK SELS – ORIGINAL STUDIO RECORDINGS (c. 1961)

Issues: LP DELAHAY DEP14028 ; LP IBC 4C054-97754 (Belgium)

I haven't been too busy with the blog these last few  weeks, mostly re-uploading and updating old links.  
I also ripped a few obscure LPs that I shall post in the coming weeks. 
But this one comes straight  from Paul D's vault.  Quality rip as usual! 


Saxophonist JACK SELS is one of the legends of Belgian Jazz and probably Antwerp’s greatest contribution to Jazz (although there is a whole new generation who would probably deserve that title, starting with X-Legged Sally and Flat Earth Society  ... yes, I know Peter Vermeersch was born in Waregem, not in Antwerp ...).

If you have seen the film JUST FRIENDS by Belgian Director Marc-Henri Wajnberg (1992), you probably know the story of the Antwerp tenor player unloading shipments of bananas from the Belgian Congo by day and blowing his horn in smoky taverns by night.  The character in the film was loosely based on Jack Sels’ real life story.

This fairly rare LP is of interest for several reasons.  

First of all because Jack Sels did not record a lot so his few recordings are to be treasured. 

The second reason is because this album features what is probably  the very first phonographic trace of a 17-year old aspiring jazz guitarist with a bright future, PhilipCatherine’

The thirds reason is the fourth track on side B: a lttle-known theme by Fats Sadi played by a quintet featuring Fats Sadi (vibes), Rene Thomas (guitar), Wallace Bishop (drums), an unknown pianist and an unknown bass player – most probably Benoit Quersin.  But no trace of Jack Sels on this track ….

 The sides with Jack Sels were recorded in Brussels circa September 19, 1961.

The last track of B side is a bit of a mystery, probably dating from 1961 too.

TRACKS AND CREDIT

A1.      BLUES  100    (J. Sels)

A2.      BAY’S WAY  (J. Sels)

A3.      BLUES FOR A BLONDE       (J.Sels)

B1.      ON STAGE     (J. Sels)

B2.      BLACK VELVET       (Huffmagle)

B.3.     AFRICAN DANCE     (L. Bellson)

Jack Sels, Lou Bennett, Philip Catherine, Oliver Jackson

B4.      HITTIN’ THE ROAD

Omit Jack Sels.  Fats Sadi (vibes), Rene Thomas (e. guitar), unknown pianist, probably Benoit Quersin on bass, Wally Bishop (drums).

Four tracks wirh Lou Bennett and Philip Catherine were first issued as and EP under the name JACK SEL(L)S JAZZ.

 They were re-issued in 1966 on a Dutch Relax LP entitled Sax Appeal , which has become a bit of a collector’s item  for its “calendar girl” cover.