During the 1950s in Paris the traditional jazz cellars could call on American as well as French musicians and Classic Jazz at St Germain des Pres is a lively record of the music heard there. Clarinettist Albert Nicholas had grown up with Bechet in New Orleans and offered a more elegant, less forceful individualism within that city's reed-playing tradition. His eight tracks from 1954 comprise four in the New Orleans sextet format, two delightful ones with a trio and two welcome borrowings from the world of Ellingtonia. Trombonist Archey was a less sophisticated musician but had his own recognisable style and his six tracks with a band including Michel Attenoux (on Bechet-like soprano) and pianist Georges Arvanitas (at the beginning of his career) are full of enthusiastic vigour. Nicholas settled in Paris, then Basle, for the rest of his life while Archey was only passing through, though both men found a warm welcome from local musicians well equipped to make them feel thoroughly at home. --Graham Colombé
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