"Fats" Sadi Pol Lallemand (23 October 1927, Andenne, Belgium – 20 February 2009, Huy) was a Belgian jazz musician, vocalist, and composer who played vibraphone and percussion.^[1] He chose the name "Sadi" because he disliked his last name, which means "the German" in French. He led a quartet and nonet and won the Belgian Golden Django for best French-speaking artist in 1996.

Career

His first instrument was xylophone, which he played in a circus in the 1930s.^[2] After World War II, he turned professional playing the vibraphonist. He performed with Bobby Jaspar in the Bob Shots, then with Don Byas.^[2] From 1950 to 1961, he lived in Paris, where he played with Aimé Barelli, Django Reinhardt, and Martial Solal.^[2]

In the 1960s, he moved to Brussels, Belgium, and was a member of Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band.^[2][3] He worked for RTBF, the TV channel of the French Community in Belgium. Sadi became seriously ill in January 1995 and appeared rarely on stage.

Discography

As leader

• Mr. Fats Sadi, His Vibes and His Friends (MPS, 1966)

As sideman

With Don Byas

• Don Byas featuring Mary Lou Williams & Beryl Booker (Vogue, 1953)
• Memorial (Vogue, 1973)
• Don Byas (Inner City, 1980)

With Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band

• Handle with Care (Atlantic, 1963)
• Swing, Waltz, Swing (Philips, 1966)
• Sax No End (SABA, 1967)
• Out of the Folk Bag (Columbia, 1967)
• 17 Men and Their Music (Campi, 1967)
• Faces (MPS, 1971)

With Bobby Jaspar

• Bobby Jaspar & His Modern Jazz (Vogue, 1954–1955)
• Bobby Jaspar/Henri Renaud (Vogue, 1953–1954)

With Sahib Shihab

• Seeds (Vogue Schallplatten, 1970)
• Companionship (Vogue Schallplatten, 1971)

With others

• André Hodeir, The Vogue Sessions (Vogue)
• Django Reinhardt, Bruxelles/Paris (Musidisc, 1938–1953)
• Zoot Sims, Jazz in Paris: Zoot Sims & Henri Renaud (EmArcy)
• Martial Solal, The Complete Vogue Recordings Vol. 2 (Vogue, 1953–56) – Quartet co-led by Fats Sadi