On February 9, 1953, Dizzy Gillespie played a live concert at the Salle Pleyel in Paris that was recorded, though when excerpts were first released, there were only enough used to fill one 10″ LP. Gillespie close to his best — as he is here — is very good indeed,
The first ten of the 16 Gillespie-led studio tracks are much in the same vein, though not quite as lively as the concert material. This studio version of “Clappin’ Rhythm” stands out as a highlight. The final six of the Gillespie-led studio recordings finds the sextet supplemented by the Paris Operatic String Orchestra (with arrangements by Michel Legrand), and are good as bop-meets-orchestration goes, though orchestral arrangements don’t play to Gillespie’s strengths. The eight final cuts on disc two represent pianist Wade Legge’s sole session he did as a leader, with the rhythm section of bassist Lou Hackney and drummer Al Jones. Though not too similar in tone to the Gillespie-led numbers that dominate this compilation — it’s well-done if typical early-’50s bop, with the piano to the fore — it does round out this extended snapshot of the music Gillespie and his band were creating in Paris during this month.

Dizzy Gillespie – Trumpet
Wade Legge – Piano
Lou Hackney- Bass
Al Jones – Drums
Joe ‘BeBop’ Carroll – Vocal
Side one tracks 1 & 2 Tracks 3 & 4 Side One and 1-4 side two includes The Paris Operatic String Orchestra arranged by Michel Legrand
Recorded at Studio Pathe Magellan , Paris 22nd February 1953 Re Mastered in London February 2013.