Drummer Trevor Richards, who now splits his time between New Orleans and Germany, has led the International Trio for 33 years (and 16 previous recordings). German clarinetist Reimer von Essen has been his sidekick for most of that time, while New Orleans pianist David Boeddinghaus has also been a part of the recording trio on more than one occasion in the past.

Their special guest for this recording is the fine Parisian soprano saxophonist, Olivier Franc. As the listener will readily hear, monsieur Franc is a devoted student of New Orleanian Sidney Bechet’s music. He is featured on the traditional “Just a Closer Walk with Thee” and plays the lead on most of the other tunes—including Kid Ory’s “Muskrat Ramble.” (Can you imagine that tune without a tailgate trombonist?)

Boeddinghaus, as any local jazz buff would expect, is outstanding throughout this collection. He flies solo on two numbers, Handy’s “Aunt Hagar’s Children Blues” and Jelly Roll Morton’s “Tank Town Bump”—and very impressively, I might add. He’s an exceptionally talented musician.

Von Essen is featured on the classic “September Song.” But I particularly liked his work with Franc on Duke Ellington’s “Stompy Jones” and New Orleans’ Jimmy Noone’s wonderful “Apex Blues.”

This is, in short, a special treat for all lovers of classic jazz, especially those of New Orleans persuasion. I recommend it highly.