Two saxophone players from continental Europe - Italy's Giovanni "Gianni" Basso (1931 - 2009) and France's Guy Lafitte (1927 - 1998) - recorded in the early '80s and backed by the Jazz Live Trio, the resident rhythm section of Radio Studio Zurich. Both saxophonists were without doubt among the best that post-war Europe produced, but sadly, also among the most unappreciated. Their work credentials were a venerable who's who of visiting American jazz stars, names such as Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, Duke Ellington, Buck Clayton and countless others. Stylistically, Giovanni Basso's initial influence was Stan Getz, but he was also a devoted fan of Sonny Rollins. Guy Lafitte on the other hand was an obvious disciple of Coleman Hawkins. The combined sessions on this CD present six classic jazz standards plus one original apiece from Basso and Lafitte. The standards include Easy Living, Lush Life, Cherokee, and Days of Wine and Roses. There were more than 100 live concerts at Radio Studio Zurich with solo guest artists backed by the Jazz Live Trio. Led by German pianist Klaus Koenig, the trios are on these sessions are made up of Peter Frei on bass, and Peter Schmidlin and Pierre Favre on drums; the latter, of course, being well known for his recordings on ECM.
