Who Was Marcel the Furrier?

an incredible band on this one

Last night as I was making dinner I had jazz going, no surprise there. One of my all-time favourite songs came on, "Marcel the Furrier" as performed by Oscar Pettiford.

"Don't you love this song?" I asked my son.

"I don't really like jazz," he said. I still love him, though I hope to one day cure him of this lapse in judgement.

The song was written by Henri Renaud, who I don't know much about. One of the great European jazz players from the 50's. Played a lot with the great Bobby Jaspar. In fact, they recorded a version of this great tune, but it doesn't do it for me like Pettiford's version. George Wallington recorded an odd stilted version with strings that sucks all the toe-tappingness from the song.

Is one of these cats Marcel?

Maybe it's because I know that song so well. I've written about it before and probably will again. I think I could play every note in my mind at any moment. It's one of those perfect recordings.

I wonder, who was he? What did he look like, this Marcel? Did Henri like buying furs from him? For a lover perhaps? One day I'll find an answer and I'll be sure to have you over and tell you all about it.

I wonder what he looks like, this Marcel? Did he smoke Gauloise cigarettes? Probably.

Bag’s Groove is It

Bag’s Groove is It.

And if it’s not it it’s certainly one of them—the great songs in jazz history. Cleaning the kitchen pondering beer. Sour? Probably. I don’t know why I drink them but I do.

Bag’s Groove from the Miles Davis album “Bag’s Groove” (Prestige, 1954)