Le Jazz Grand

by Scott YanowFor this interesting if out of print LP, film producer Michel Legrand leads an impressive big band through a 23-minute exploration of his "Southern Routes" (a jazz suite based on the soundtrack of the film Les Routes de la Sud) and then plays piano with a septet on four of his briefer compositions. The latter band has solo work from trumpeter Jon Faddis, altoist Phil Woods and baritonist Gerry Mulligan, all of whom are also featured on the longer piece. Although none of the selections caught on, the colorful arrangements and the excellent solos make this a worthwhile (if difficult to find) acquisition, Michel Legrand's first jazz recording in a decade. [DCC reissued the album in 1978.]