Aside from playing and recording with American blues musicians like Sonny Boy Williamson and T-Bone Walker in the 1960s, the Caribbean-born jazz pianist Michel Sardaby recorded a few fine albums of his own. Night Cap, recorded in Paris in 1970, is one of his best known and features five originals and an eloquent rendition of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll." Sardaby's trio, with Percy Heath on bass and Connie Kay on drums, brings a strong rhythmic sensibility and an appreciation for the blues to the pieces. There is a nocturnal quality to the album highlighted by the title track, the intense opener "Traveling On," and the meditative "I'm Free Again." This is a highly enjoyable album from an artist who worked with many American musicians throughout his career but was more appreciated abroad than in the United States, where most of his albums are only available as imports.
Michel Sardaby - piano
Percy Heath - bass
Connie Kay - drums
6 tr.
Zone E