An arranger of genius, as well as a mentor of 20th century pop, Quincy Jones has been one of the greatest contributors to the modernization of big-band jazz. This previously unreleased album is a 1961 live recording that Quincy made in Paris on his 28th birthday, and it provides astounding evidence of his skills fronting a large orchestra. After his brilliant tour in 1960 (cf. "Quincy Jones Live in Paris, 1960", FA5460), the young bandleader returned to France with an 'All-Star' band that featured some of the finest hardboppers in jazz, notably Freddie Hubbard, Melba Liston, Curtis Fuller, Phil Woods and Sahib Shihab... The Groove, virtuosity and swing are making this opus a definitive recording! The Live in Paris collection by Michel Brillié allows listeners to hear previously-unreleased recordings (made at concerts and private- or radio-sessions) by the great 20th stars in jazz, rock & roll and song. These "live" takes, and the artists' rapport with their audiences, gives these performances an additional soul and sensibility in counterpoint to the rigorous demands of studio recordings. Particular care was taken when restoring the sound of these tapes in order to meet today's standards while preserving the original colors of the period.