This double-disc set is a reissue of what were originally issued as two separate CDs At one time Vigorito played cornet in Bissonnette’s band and he has also had a number of previous outings with the French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band The occasion that gave rise to these CDs was a concert in Irigny where the band was received enthusiastically judging by the audience’s applause at the end of each number Sometimes front line members got a little off mike but these are minor flaws which don’t detract appreciably from the listening experience In the front line Vigorito lives up to what his name suggests as his playing displays much vigor driving the others with his impassioned phrasing and Kid Thomas-inspired outbursts and flares He is comfortable playing in all registers Leader Alessi apparently only started playing a decade or so before this event but one could hardly tell from his complete command of the saxes trying hard—with some success—to emulate his mentor on trombone but they did not thrill me as much as they apparently did others as it had to be since the chords were entirely up to him the band being “piano-less.” He could execute single string as well tremolo Gregoriades’ string bass provides that good bottom so necessary to a band’s being able to “swing.” His solos are few in number Gratiot has good command of the New Orleans drumming style—mainly pressed rolls and little cymbal work as we hear on the few solos he takes and on the four-bar tags on several of the numbers even the banal ones such as “Mairzy Doats.” And these musicians have the ability to make even a tune that on the surface would not seem to lend itself to a traditional jazz interpretation Pleasure also derives from the variety of tempos and the corresponding effect on each tune’s presentation “Mama’s Gone Goodbye” (1-2) is rendered at a very sedate tempo the banjo playing single string in his solo and Vigorito achieving a wistfulness in his tone as the ensemble takes it out “Cradle Song” (1-3) is taken at a pace a bit faster than that of many other bands as is also the case with “C’est Magnifique” (2-3) proceeds at a slow blues tempo rather than the medium one I am used to hearing Other delights include Alessi’s amazing rendition of George Lewis’ “Burgundy Street Blues” on the tenor sax—it comes off perfectly This CD set provides some two-and-a-half hours of excellent jazz that should delight a traditional fan’s heart—and ears Upbeat CDs are available on the Upbeat web site www.upbeatrecordings.co.uk as well as on-line from sites such as Amazon and various streaming services Washington & Lee Swing*; Mama’s Gone Goodbye; Cradle Song; Lavender Blue (Doin’ the Dillys); Get Out of Here; Lonesome Road; When You’re Smiling*; Kid Thomas Boogie; Burgundy Street Blues; Give Me Your Telephone Number; Love Me Tender; Bugle Boy March After a two-year stint playing drums with the 101 st Airborne Division Band and making a number of parachute drops he returned to civilian life in San Francisco matriculating at San Francisco State University where he earned a B.A He went on to matriculate at University of Oregon he is a professor emeritus of English at City College of San Francisco He is also a retired traditional jazz drummer having played with a number of San Francisco Bay Area bands and the Zenith New Orleans Parade band; he also played with some further afield B.C.) Today he reviews traditional jazz CDs and writes occasional articles for several publications Automotive components manufacturer JTekt Europe and Assystem Technologies have strengthened their strategic partnership by establishing an R&D services center in France near Lyon where they will focus on development of technologies for autonomous vehicles Operations at the facility began in the first quarter of 2018 and will continue under a multi-year agreement Experts at the facility are focused on product innovation project management and serial life management Equipment installed in the center will include secured workspace Around 50 Assystem Technologies engineers are based there The company first invests in the infrastructures Part of its premises near Lyon is now dedicated to the activity of this center implying specific works: reinforcement of the facility security and deployment of secured communications – including IT – with JTtekt Assystem Technologies will also work to enlarge the premises in the coming months due to the (global) development of its activities and its workforce in the region and to prepare/plan the future extension of the R&D service center There are four departments located in the center: “The creation of this shared R&D services center is the fruit of 15 years of trusted collaboration Our level of commitment and new responsibilities will enable us to better meet the challenges facing JTekt in integrating state-of-the-art technology to develop increasingly autonomous vehicles director of the technical center for JTekt Europe “The services center established with our long-term partner Assystem Technologies is an extension of our current R&D This integrated model has redefined our ways of working and has helped us to improve our responsiveness and performance which ultimately means better value for customers.” Rachel's career in journalism has seen her write for various titles at UKi Media & Events within automotive her favourite aspect of the job is interviewing industry experts and learning more about the groundbreaking technologies and innovations that are shaping the future of transportation.