12 OCTOBER 1956 IN LIMOGES - CINEMA LE PARIS
12 OCTOBER 1956 IN LIMOGES - CINEMA LE PARIS
Wellman Braud and Kid Ory
Claude-Alain Christophe, vice-president of the Hot Club of Limoges and founder of Swing-FM, Limoges internet radio devoted to jazz, has sent us the attached photo and an extract from his book ”Jazz in Limoges – the saga of the Hot Club and Swing FM”.
The photo was taken by a friend of his, and shows, in his words "bassist Wellman Braud and, in a strange attitude, Kid Ory leaning over a table at Limoges station restaurant".
Listen to Limoges internet radio devoted to jazz http://www.swingfm.asso.fr/html/index.php?p=live.php
Kid Ory's rhythm section
A concert I did not write about in the history of the Hot Club of Limoges, but which remains in the memory of every old jazz lover, is Kid Ory in 1956. The legendary New Orleans musician has taken with him a dream rhythm section.
We were very lucky as, in the following days, the great drummer Minor Hall fell ill and had to withdraw from the tout. Sadly he died a few days later. He was one of the most impressive drummers I ever saw. I know some would judge he had a rather primary technique, but what is important in jazz drumming, more than virtuosity, is sound and swing. Right now, I see him again at Jean-Marie Masse's home, demonstrating his marvelous press rolls on a snare drum set up in the lounge. One could believe the sticks were not moving, whereas the drum resonates with a tight, tremendously powerful, amazingly swinging roll.
Another legend of jazz is part of that rhythm section, Wellman Braud from New Orleans too. He had been Duke Ellington's first bass player during the glorious Cotton Club times. But, as any musician from New Orleans, Wellman Braud remains a very simple and practical man. When, the day after the concert, we took the band back to the train, we were surprised to see he would travel his bass without any protecting cover. But once he'd climbed into the wagon, he'd open the toilets door, settle his bass inside and ties the very long hand towel around the neck, No one could use the toilets anymore, but grandma, as the musicians used to call the instrument, would travel safe.
Claude-Alain Christophe