The Vivid Guitar Magic of Bireli Lagrene

Those strings and Lord those sensual sounds. There is nothing quite like good, smokin' hot jazz guitar work. Late today I needed some guitar sounds so I listened to the exciting linear jazz guitar lines of the magnificent man from France, Bireli Lagrene. One tune was the classic 'Night in Tunisia.' Bireli Lagrene was joined on the performance by the sensational pair, Elvin Jones on drums and Joey Defrancesco on organ. The combined force of Lagrene, Jones and Defrancesco made 'Tunisia' really fiery. Another good cut I listened to was the fine song, 'Autumn Leaves.' This number had Bireli Lagrene playing with the poignant Roy Haynes on drums. 'Leaves' had some vivid, exciting Lagrene solo guitar improvisation. This kind of profound, truly tight small group jazz can send one off into a fascinating journey of fine listening. The style of Bireli Lagrene is intensely influenced by the lovely interpretations of the grand Django Reinhardt. Lagrene had memorable performance times also working with the bassist Jaco Pastorius. Their work in the realm of fusion is very unusual.