The first French jazzman to embrace bebop with true enthusiasm was without a doubt alto saxophonist Hubert Fol (1925-1995). He took to the new style when he was barely 20 years old, the moment he heard Charlie Parker on record, and he immediately began practicing.

Hubert was born in Paris, on November 11, 1925. When he was nine, his mother started him and his younger brother Raymond on piano. In 1942 he expanded his musical education with violin and clarinet lessons, and finally, influenced by Johnny Hodges, he chose the alto saxophone as his favorite instrument. As a musician, Hubert Fol always strived to play music that was richer and more inventive than that of his peers. He always succeeded, too, and the itinerary of his musical adventures was always most fascinating  to follow.

In the summer of 1947, he formed a sextet called “The Be-Bop Minstrels.” The name was a clear statement of the stylistic message of the group, and their avant-garde playing impressed Charles Delaunay, who invited them to record for his label, Swing. The group’s first visit to the studios took place on July 4th, and the session resulted in the first bebop sides recorded in France.

Hubert quickly became one of the most capable French bebop players, and most of the great foreign musicians who visited Europe enjoyed playing with him: Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas and Dizzy Gillespie, in addition to Rex Stewart, John Lewis, Kenny Clarke, James Moody, Jimmy Raney and others.

Hubert Fol always had a loyal following in France. For as long as he played, from 1950 until 1964, he was ranked the number one alto saxophonist in Jazz Hot’s yearly poll, making him one of the most honored jazz musicians in France.

Jordi Pujol (From the inside liner notes of FSRCD 955)