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Just when most of Paris is slowing down for the holidays, July sees the musical scene reach its climax with a series of festivals. The La Villette Jazz Festival goes out with a blast thanks to Steve Coleman and the Council of Balance and Sam Rivers' Rivbea All Star Orchestra, on July 3. Rivers will be launching his outfit's new CD, "Inspiration" (RCA Victor). The scene then switches to New Morning for its five-week All Stars Festival. Among the artists to watch out for are legendary drummer Lenny White with mythic bassist Stanley Clarke on July 7 & 8. The rhythm section of Chick Corea's Return To Forever, they've formed a group featuring the remarkable Rachel Z on keyboards and have a new album, "Vertu" (Sony Jazz). On July 10 the conga king, Ray Barretto returns with New World Spirit while July 12 sees a change of pace with Morphine. On July 16 guitar hero Mike Stern is here with his new quartet. Latin king Eddie Palmieri and his orchestra play July 19 and the following evening it's the turn of the Ravi Coltrane Quartet to shine. Latin tenor sax star David Sanchez is on July 27 and Big Lucky Carter's Blues Band brings down the curtain August 5. The Paris Jazz Festival is held every Saturday in summer at the Parc Floral and is free. Among this year's stars are fusion pioneer Joe Zawinul with his Zawinul Syndicate July 10, brilliant vocalist Dianne Reeves, who'll be launching her new CD with Blue Note, "Bridges," July 31, tenor sax legend Johnny Griffin with special guest Olivier Témime plus superb pianist Donald Brown and trio August 7. Trumpet stars Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton play August 14. Jazz à l'Hôtel d'Albret is held in the courtyard of a stately Marais mansion. The outstanding gig of this year's festival is on July 26 with a solo piano recital by Brad Mehldau, who'll be launching his haunting, brooding solo CD, "Elegiac Cycle" (Warner Bros). Extraordinary alto/soprano saxophonist Steve Potts has been holding down the Wednesday night spot at the 7 Lézards for the past 18 months, building up a loyal audience while exploring and pushing his repertoire. The journey continues throughout July. Dazzling pianist Joel Forrester will be at the same club July 3 with his trio. Forrester's latest CD on Koch is called "Believe It" and, believe it or not, at the Cave du Franc Pinot on July 9-10, you can catch another outstanding pianist, Christopher Culpo with his trio. Right after the gig, Culpo, a Paris resident, will be off to London for the premiere of his new stage musical, "Believe." Venues La Villette Jazz Festival, 8pm, 211, av Jean-Jaurès, 19e, Metro Porte de Pantin, tel: 08.03.07.50.75, 175F/140F for evening pass. New Morning, 9pm, 7-9, rue des Petites Ecuries, 10e, Metro Château d'Eau, tel: 01.45.23.51.41, 130F. Paris Jazz Festival, 4pm, Parc Floral de Paris, Metro Château de Vincennes, tel: 01.43.43.92.95, concert free, park entry 10F/5F. Hôtel d'Albret, 8pm, 31, rue des Francs Bourgeois, 4e, Metro St-Paul, tel: 01.45.08.55.25, 120F/100F 7 Lézards, 10pm, 10, rue des Rosiers, 4e, Metro St-Paul, tel: 01.48.87.08.97, 70F. Cave du Franc Pinot, 10pm, 1, quai de Bourbon, 4e, Metro Pont Marie, tel: 01.46.33.60.64, 90F with drink. |
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