Hubert Rostaing Sextette – Standard Transcription Sessions – Q247-250 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
The Legendary Hubert Rostaing tonight, leading a sextette in a session for the Standard Transcription company and either recorded in Paris or New York. The sessions took place approximately 1948 (although some say it was 1947).
Here’s the lineup:
Hubert Rostaing Et Son Sextette
Champs-Elysées ClubLadislas Czabanyck (b); Arthur Motta (d); Jean-Pierre Sasson (g); Armand Motta (p);
Hubert Rostaing (as); Roby Poitevin (vibra)
Paris, 1948
Here’s what they play:
1. Lost Weekend
2. Chouky
3. Minor Swing
4. Oh Lady Be Good
5. Cadillac Swing
6. Honeysuckle Rose
7. Chagrin
8. The Lamplighter
9. Boogie-Woogie
10. Fugology
11. Bijou
12. High Tide
13. Blue Skies
14. PLayback Swing
15. After You’ve Gone
16. Trop Toi
17. Sur un Gamme
18. Champs-Elysee Club
19. Slipped Disc
A relatively minor figure in jazz history, Hubert Rostaing will always be remembered as Stephane Grappelli’s successor with Django Reinhardt’s Quintet of the Hot Club of France. He worked early on in Algiers with the Red Hotters, moving to Paris in 1939. Rostaing played with Reinhardt on and off during 1940-48, appearing on many recordings including some in which Django was utilizing electric guitar and adjusting his style to bebop. Somehow the band worked fairly regularly during the World War II. occupation years. Rostaing also recorded many numbers as a leader during 1940-50 plus albums in 1958 and 1962, the latter a set that emphasized the twist! Hubert Rostaing spent most of his later years working outside of jazz, composing film scores and playing classical music.
I’m not sure how many sessions Rostaing did for the Standard Transcription company, but this represents at least one session he did.
Suffice to say that, despite Allmusic’s assessment of Rostaing as a relatively minor figure, he certainly made his presence known in French Jazz circles. They neglected to mention his tenure with the Jacques Helian band, which was one of the best known big bands in French Jazz in the late 1930s and into the 1940s. Rostaing was one of a flood of top-notch Jazz musicians that came out of France before and after the War.
Good stuff – worth a couple listens. There will be more soon.
In the meantime, enjoy.
