ANOTHER LOST GEM !

MICHEL SARDABY - BLUE SUNSET

LP DEBS ‎– HDD 508     FRANCE – 1967

Michel Sardaby was born in 1935 in Martinique. He learned to play the piano when he was 5 years old, in the brasserie of his father in Fort-de-France, where music was constantly played. At the age of 10 Michel was already seen as a piano prodigy, playing fast boogie woogie like no one else. In 1953 the family moved to Paris.  Michel went to the Institut des Arts Appliqués, the Boulle School.  He graduated in 1956 and decided to become a professional jazz pianist.  Throughout the 60s, he played piano with many French (Guy Lafitte ...), European (Rene Thomas ...) and US-expatriate musicians (Dexter Gordon, Sonny Criss, Kenny Clarke, Ben Webster, J.J. Johnson, Chet Baker, Art Taylor, Jimmy Gourley ...).  He has a special feeling for the blues which led to collaboration with Sonny Boy Williamson and T-Bone Walker during their visits to the Old Continent.

Blue Sunset  is the first album Michel Sardaby recorded under his name.  It was recorded in 1965 and produced by fellow West Indian Henri Debs. It can be considered a lost classic piano trio LP.

Michel Sardaby is not a prolific pianist, in terms of recordings.  His discography is limited but of an outstanding level of quality.

Tracklist

A1                   Blue Sunset     4:26    

A2                   Always Room For One More  5:20    

A3                   Empty Room  3:58    

B1                   Wendy           5:13    

B2                   Lament For Billy        3:45    

B3                   Come From Nowhere 4:34    

Credits

Piano – Michel Sardaby

Bass – Gilbert Rovere*

Drums – Philippe Combelle

Liner Notes – Maurice Cullaz, Mike Hennessey

It was re-issued in 1999 by Sound Hills (Japan) including 6 bonus tracks from live sessions one year earlier but the CD is currently OOP.  A European re-issue would be most welcome.
This rip is from my own Debs LP.