FIRST TRIP TO PARIS

2-08-05

...my first trip to Paris was an unforgettable five days (January 25-29) @ the Lionel Hampton Club (Hotel Meridien Etoile) with fellow pianists FABRICE EULRY (Paris) & RENAUD PATIGNY (Brussels), accompanied by the swingin' rhythm section of Enzo Mucci (upright bass) & Stan Laferriere (drums)...billed as the "Boogie Woogie Connexion", it was two ninety minute sets a night under the brilliant direction of Fabrice...with two grand pianos on stage, a baby grand in the audience and a high emphasis on entertainment, the evenings were very impromptu, never really knowing what the next move would be...the week proved to be perhaps the most challenging & rewarding musical experience of my career...