“Live in Paris”, the latest release from Sam Burckhardt, recorded together with Lucas Montagnier Organ Trio, is a vibrant celebration of classic jazz and Chicago blues driven to the heart of France. The Swiss-born and Chicago-based sax player proves why he can be considered a master of swing, as he is gifted with a broad, robust tone and an elegance that evokes the golden age of jazz clubs.

The chemistry between Burckhardt and the Lucas Montagnier Organ Trio is both immediate and noticeable. The Hammond organ provides a warm, deep texture that perfectly combines with the sax melodic lines, creating an intimate atmosphere that only a live recording can capture with such fidelity.

Throughout the album, all musicians move along with standards and original compositions, and they do it with a natural fluency that balances technical improvisation and pure emotion. Like in the previous album, Sam steps up to the microphone to sing “I’m Lost Without You,” a song coming from legendary blues piano player and singer Memphis Slim.

The most outstanding album feature is its genuineness. It does not reinvent the genre but rather honor it through a faultless performance and an infectious joy. This is an essential recording for those who like to savor a dialogue between blues and jazz, giving a musical journey that confirms both Burckhardt’s individual mastery and the band’s collective teamwork on stage. GREAT