Sammy Rimington - Fred Vigorito Bill Sinclair - Wendell Brunious-Kid Bastien- Bill Bissonnette Kjeld Brandt

The Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival 2008 with Fred Vigorito's Galvanized Jazz Band

French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band with Sammy Rimington and Fred Vigorito Blues for Manny Paul The band’s own label FPCD12 – jp-alessi@french-preservation.com I’m not quite sure how Jean-Pierre Alessi, the tenor sax man who leads this band, comes to sound so much like a native New Orleanian, it’s uncanny, but he does. And so does Englishman Sammy Rimington who served his time with the Ken Colyer band, then with Big Bill Bissonnette in the USA. Whether playing clarinet or alto sax he’s totally at home in the idiom. And then there’s one of my favourite cornet men, the American Fred Vigorito who, when he’s at home leads the Galvanised Jazz Band with great skill and passion. He also sounds exactly like a native New Orleanian – at times not unlike Kid Thomas Valentine. And this band’s wonderful rhythm section too would not be out of place anywhere in the French Quarter – they’re that good. The result of all this amazing alchemy is that the tracks on this CD lay a wonderfully moving and often exciting tribute to the late New Orleans tenor man – the man with the very distinctive tone and delivery. This is a fine CD – superbly entertaining with five star performances by everyone involved. They obviously have a ball recording it – I hope that you will follow their lead when you hear it. Brian HARVEY

GHB 499 Critics: GEORGE BUCK, GHB Records : GHB BCD 499 this is an incredible CD featuring the great Sammy Rimington on clarinet and the exciting tumpet of Fred Vigorito. This Cd has a lot of drive and Vigorito plays in the tradition of Kid Thomas. I highly recommend this CD. and Brian Harvey says A tried and tested sure fire fomula for New Orleans jazz band heat and exitement in the past few years has included Fred Vigorito's spine-tingling vibrato, Sammy Rimington emotive clarinet and alto sax and Jean Pierre Alessi's Emanuel Paul-inspired tenor sax. Here we have all three plus the very fine rythm section of Henry Lemaire on banjo, Dominic Molton on string bass and Vincent hurel on drums. Recorded at a Lyon club session in december 2005 this is one of those super relaxed and yet so exciting sessions that only deeply commited and thoroughly expert New Orleans Musicians can create. These guys are not copying the original band they emulate - that of Kid Thomas Valentine - they've moved on way beyond that. Now they're playing the self-same music. They've graduated from being students and followers. Now it is this band and other world class groups like it who are the leaders. Verdict - Brilliant.

GEORGE BUCK, GHB Records : GHB BCD 499 C’est un CD incroyable, avec le grand Sammy Rimington a la clarinette et Fred Vigorito qui joue une trompette excitante. C’est un CD plein d’énergie, avec Vigorito qui joue dans la tradition de Kid Thomas. Je vous conseille vivement ce CD. Dans les mots de Brian Harvey : «Une formule bien rodée qui produit le feu et la chaleur des groupes de jazz de la Nouvelle Orléans, avec le vibrato de Fred Vigorito, qui fait frémir d’excitation, la clarinette et le sax alto de Sammy Rimington, pleins d’émotion, et le sax ténor de JP Alessi, qui s’inspire d’Emanuel Paul. On retrouve tous les trois ici avec une excellente section rythmique composée de Henry Lemaire au banjo, Dominic Molton a la contrebasse et Vincent Hurel à la batterie. Enregistrée en décembre 2005 au cours d’un concert dans un club à Lyon, c’est une de ces sessions super-relax et tellement excitantes que peuvent créer uniquement les Musiciens de New Orleans les plus engagés et les plus expérimentés. Ces gars ne sont pas des copiés-collés du groupe qu’ils émulent – celui de Kid Thomas Valentine ; ils sont passés au-delà de ça. Maintenant ce sont eux-mêmes qui jouent la même musique. Ils ont progressé au delà de l’état d’étudiant et suiveur. Maintenant c’est ce groupe-ci, avec d’autres groupes parmi les meilleurs du monde de la même trempe, qui sont les leaders. Le verdict – c’est exceptionnel. »

Walking With the King French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band with Fred Vigorito and Sammy Rimington FPCD-10

J’adore cet orchestre mené par J-P Alessi (sax ténor) depuis la première fois que je l’ai entendu. Ils « swinguent » et « groovent » comme presque personne depuis le grand orchestre de Kid Thomas. C’est un des sons les plus joyeux et les plus communicatifs du jazz de nos jours. Rajoutez à cela deux des plus excellents « vagabonds » à swinguer aujourd’hui – l’Américain Fred Vigorito au cornet et le Britannique Sammy Rimington a la clarinette et alto – et voilà une combinaison internationale unique et excitante. Ensemble ils forment un des groupes New Orleans les plus complets que j’écoute avec plaisir depuis des années. Avec les Happy Pals du Canada et le Britannique Phil Mason, ces gars comptent probablement parmi les plus grands. Ne me prenez pas au mot cependant : écoutez le morceau que nous passons maintenant – Rhum and Coca Cola - décidez par vous-mêmes ! De plus – ce n’est pas uniquement leur swing et l’ambiance générale qui sont contagieux – ces mecs jouent aussi en solo... Encore, messieurs, encore !

New Orleans Living Legends CD FPCD11 - notes Jazz club and concert promoters are always looking for sure fire strategies which would ensure that they fill their venues with eager enthusiasts. They need look no longer! I’ve found the unique magic formula. It goes something like this……..Take one Jean Pierre Alessi - add a large measure of Fred Vigorito and an equal part of Sammy Rimington. Mix those three well and then season with equal measures of Henry Lemaire, Dominic Molton, Jacky Boyadjian and Vincent Hurel. Allow the overall mixture a little time to settle and then warm overnight ion a conducive atmosphere and watch the results - they will be spectacular - highly emotional - visceral even and the most rhythmic this side of the heavenly band led by Buddy Bolden,. Louis Armstrong, George Lewis and Sam Morgan.What I’m getting at is that by teaming up with Vigorito and Rimington monsieur Alessi has achieved the near impossible. He’s created a band that on the occasions recorded in the remarkable CD titled ”New Orleans Living Legends” was one of the hottest and most exciting I have ever heard. For sheer foot-patting infection and overall joie de vivre this group is among the very best. Alessi’s inspiration is the seminal tenor sax work of the great immortal Manny Paul, Sammy Rimington was originally inspired by George Lewis but is now a giant talent in his own right - a world talent. Fred Vigorito is inspired by exciting, original talents like Kid Thomas Valentine and Wild Bill Davison but add his own unique formula to - like Sammy - come up with something truly great in the annals of jazz cornet. The three together are a perfect combination - each inspiring the others.And this wonderful rhythm section. Where on earth did J-P find skill, understanding and totally absorbing rhythm and understanding on this level. These men ARE New Orleanians even if they’re playing in France. Bravo mes amis - bravo - encore - toujours encore.What a band - what a CD - thank you J-P - you made my day - month - year! Brian Harvey Copyright 2008