During the output of his book “Bass Hits”, Jean Warlant invites us to a mini concert which he organizes with its  accomplice  Fabrice Alleman, in the FNAC of  Liege.

A Jazz Duet , Double bass and Clarinet, which meets large standards of the Jazz.

A journey in the époque from the  1920 years to our days.

The whole filled of anecdotes all putted together  throughout a well filled career.

We´ d  like to discuss with Jean Warlant and ask him to talk us about Sadi, of the memories which he experienced with . Of its personality…

It is within the Jazz area of the FNAC, not far from the Belgian Jazz area, where are showed the discs of Sadi and those of Jean Warlant, where we met the artist.

Meeting again between Ella Lallemand (the daughter of Sadi), Harry Sluijzer (the grandson of Sadi) and the great artist.

Immediately, the tone is given, the memories flow, the anecdotes, more than crusty, rain… Difficult to stop the alive encyclopaedia which is Jean Warnant.

With the concern however, that the majority of these anecdotes are not easily publishable, considering their piquant character !

Obviously, the Jazz Men  of the great time were not bored…

The interminable tourneys, on the roads of Europe and the world, were undeniable festive.

It should be said that the transport means of the time, the vehicles used, and the highway networks of the post-war period, did not have anything common with what we know today. Good number of these anecdotes however are told in the splendid work of Jean warlant : Bass Hits, published in the editions “Le cri”. Illustrated by many photographs of that time in black and white. More information on: www.lecri.be

We come then to Sadi. Sadi was already very known when Jean Warland crossed him for the first time. We should rather say, saw him, because their first meeting happened through the glaze of the  Studio Pacifique, in 1949.

Sadi and Jean Warlant will belong to the orchestra of Jacques Hélian, from 1956 to 1962. Together, they will travel  the roads of France and Europe.

Jean assures us that Sadi had a lot of humour, by gratifying us of some more anecdotes impossible to publish… on what will remain among the most beautiful tourneys of his life. “We travelled by bus, traversing the national roads (the hi-ways did not exist yet at the time). Sadi knew by heart the solos of the large trombonists of the time and was able to reproduce them by imitating the instrument with its mouth.

Sadi bathed the ears of the musicians in the bus, during hundreds of kilometres.

He only  finally stopped  under the protests of the audience and a rain of projectiles.

The continuation of the history is in the book, but what a pleasure to hear it from the own mouth  of Jean Warlant.

By asking him what he thinks of Sadi as an artist, Jean answers us with an enigmatic air:

“The name of Sadi existed already before he was born,… And it will always exist”.

We will not know any more about the subject… Then, we start again with more nice new anecdotes… Jean still entrusts: I am surrounded by young people who do not have half of my age (he will be 83 years old).

But nobody can speak to me as to a grandfather.

Precisely, these young people maintain me to the level.

Most of my contemporaries left the scene. And me, I maintain thanks to the young people who surround me.

An anecdote came back in the memories of Jean. “Sadi and me were large friends. But we did not have the possibility of having a true meal together.

Sadi had the habitude to eat something hot at noon and I had this in the evening.

Then I said to Sadi, I will invite you at home in Knokke.

At noon, I will put on a white blouse and a cravat and I will serve you for lunch.

In the evening it will change, and you will be my waiter.

Thus, then we can share these meals together. So will be done.

Jean endorsed his costume and served Sadi a splendid meal at noon.

But, the drinks helping, ´´pousse-cafés´´ and other rejoicings, will dot hat Sadi will not be in a position to serve the evening meal…

We moved then towards the space of the forum of the FNAC, and we installed the material. Just before the beginning of the séance, a nice visit is announced.

The great trombonist, Christian Kellens (friend of Sadi since their child age) and his wife came to listen to the mini concert and to visit their friend Jean.

Meeting again with the family of Sadi and new anecdotes are told.

Christian Kellens told us that he took its retirement already since 30 years, despite that he is only one year younger than Jean Warlant (who is still on scene…) The mini concert began and, afterwards we are plunged in an incredible universe.

An experiment that we recommend to you highly…

More information on MySpace of Fabrice Alleman:

http://www.myspace.com/fabricealleman