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‘In the World’s First Summer’ marks the debut recording of New Zealand-Canadian jazz
trumpet player Lex French on the Justin Time label. Hailed by Radio Canada jazz critic
Stanley Pean as “an extraordinary trumpeter”, he is fast becoming a bright star on the
Canadian jazz scene, and is a highly in-demand composer and arranger.
This project takes inspiration from Miles Davis’s seminal second quintet in its approach, a
group that has influenced so many musicians over the last 50 years. “When I was about 16
years old, in 1998 or ’99, I bought a copy of Miles Davis’1967 album, Miles Smiles,” says
French, “and was immediately captivated. Ever since that first listen, I’ve wanted to lead a
group that followed in the footsteps of Miles’s seminal second quintet. His quintet was a
band that prioritised communication and improvisation, embraced lush and open harmonic
soundscapes, and above all, placed the spirit of spontaneity at the centre of everything. In
order to play with such spontaneity and open lines of communication, it is important that
each musician in the group is an exceptional musician in their own right.”
Joining Lex in Wellington are Callum Allardice (piano), Johnny Lawrence (bass), and Cory
Champion (drums), all of whom are improvising musicians of the highest order who bring
their individual and personal approaches to the music but also function as members of the
group in order to create a whole that is great than the sum of its parts.
“I can’t think of a single thing that could have gone wrong with a line-up that reads like a list
of some of Montreal’s finest jazz musicians, also among the finest in America, no less.
The spirit of Miles’ quintet is not lost. The incandescent energy of the more alert pieces, or
the introspective poetry of a few ballads, ... are magnified, concentrated and even
sublimated in a way that only an exceptional ensemble can do.
Dare I say that this quartet is one of the best (in a very, very short list) currently active in the
North American jazz world? Perhaps worldwide? I think I do...In the World’s First
Summer is probably the jazz album of the year. Not to be missed.” – Frederic Cardin, PanM360.com
“French has a drive and verve akin to Woody Shaw” – George Harris, JazzWeekly.com
“Always impeccable, the trumpeter Lex French is a judicious mix of Freddie Hubbard and
Shorty Rodgers.” - Christophe Rodriguez, sortiesjazznights.com
“French is an excellent trumpet player in the tradition from Wheeler's ECM albums Deer
Wan and Gnu High.” -Jan Granlie, salt-peanuts.eu
Instagram @lexfrenchmusic
Facebook @lexfrenchmusic
Bandcamp: wwwlexfrenchmusic.bandcamp.com
Website: www.lexfrenchmusic.com
