DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #35: Smiles

Smiles is the second song from the compilation “Swing in Europa 1: 1939-1945” I'm featuring in the “Song of the Week” series.

Alto saxophonist Flavio Ambrosetti first started studying piano in his hometown Lugano in Switzerland, afterwards he took vibraphone lessons.

After having seen tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins performing in Switzerland in the late 30s, he started to play saxophone.

Ambrosetti was one of the pioneers of the bebop style in Europe.

In 1949 he played at the legendary Jazz Festival Paris in Hazy Osterwald‘s band and met his number one influence Charlie Parker. 

1972 he founded with his son Franco, with Daniel Humair and George Gruntz The Band, which later evolved to the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band. Ambrosetti also was the organiser of the International Jazz Festival Lugano.

Smiles, recorded 1943 with his sextet, is a song I play quite often as a Swing DJ. Not too fast but with a great pumping rhythm section and a soulful Ambrosetti at the vibraphone.

Line-Up: Flavio Ambrosetti (vib, as), Michel Eberhard (ts, cl), Géo Voumard (p), Ray Hunter (g), Sunny Langenbacher (b), Memeta Ambrosetti (d).

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

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