Memories

The adventure really began in 1981. Over five days, today’s Jazz à Vienne emerged on the horizon. At the last minute, a replacement had to be found for Lionel Hampton, who was ill: Dizzy Gillespie (with Milt Jackson) took over at the head of the all-star big band. Chuck Berry drove his own Mercedes to the theatre, with a few dents in the bodywork. Herbie Hancock introduced us to a new trumpet player, aged 19: Wynton Marsalis. But the festival’s most historic concert was played by Art Pepper, just  a few months before he died. A storm interrupted the only performance shared by Martial Solal, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, Shelly Manne and Pierre Michelot.