Elek Bacsik - Jazz Guitarist (1963)
Monday, March 14, 2022
I close my eyes and enter Tabou in the Saint Germain des Prés, with a mouth full of fresh air, before climbing down the stairs to the basement jazz club. A stand-up bassist, either Michel Gaudry or Pierre Michelot with Kenny Clarke on drums, and on the right side of the stage is the Hungarian/French/American guitarist, Elek Bacsik. Playing the electric guitar as if it was an extension of his body. I would be a baby in real-time, but in my imagination, this is how I picture and hear Elek Bacsik.
In awakening life, I discovered his ability to play jazz guitar on Serge Gainsbourg’s excellent album Gainsbourg Confidentiel and Serge’s live album 1963 théâtre des Capucines. A year before that recording, Bacsik made Jazz Guitarist, which is remarkable. Rare for a jazz recording, Bacsik overdubbed his guitar leads over his rhythm, so there is very much a full-sound of trio plus a little bit more power on his instrument.
I have a thing for French jazz, usually light, and a close relationship with the West Coast Cool sound. But somewhat more smokey with a touch of whisky and water on the side. Bacsik's sound is crystal clear, fast, and intense. But with a lot of feeling for the beat and, of course, melody. His songs are all top-notch, such as “Opus De Funk,” with impressive drumming from Swiss musician Daniel Humair. Half of the album is the legendary drummer Kenny Clarke. And duties are also shared by the bassists Michelot and Gaudry. Michelot and Clarke were the rhythm section on Miles Davis’s magnificent Lift To The Scaffold (L'Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud).
So, obviously, this is a very classy set of music done by brilliant musicians. Django Reinhardt’s Nuages gets an excellent sensitive workout from his nephew with a weeping guitar sound play-dancing around the beautiful melody. In a nutshell, Paris nightlife through the sounds of Elek Bacsik.