Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on October 06, 2007 at 00:51:25

In Reply to: RE: "Jazz Icons" DVD series posted by rico on October 05, 2007 at 22:39:15

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers (rare original "Moanin'" line-up from '58 featuring Blakey on percussion, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Jymie Merritt, trumpeter Lee Morgan, and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, who wrote two certified classics for Blakey, but was in the band less than a year)

The Dave Brubeck (Two performances from classic "Take Five" era Quartet featuring Brubeck, Desmond, Wright and Morello)

Duke Ellington (with the classic Newport Jazz Festival era Orchestra that includes Paul Gonsalve's seminal solo on "Diminuendo In Blue & Crescendo In Blue")

Chet Baker (practitioner of the West Coast 'cool jazz' school who played flugelhorn and trumpet. He smoked constantly and did way too many drugs throughout his relatively short life, but somehow he pulls off two excellent performances caught on film here, some 15 years apart)

Dexter Gordon (groundbreaking jazz saxophonist who influenced Coltraine and many other cutting edge jazz musicians. My impression is that Dexter Gordon's interpretations bridged the gap between older B-bop and newer free form jazz styles, making free form a bit more accessible)

Yeah, these Jazz Icons releases are rare, superb and full of variety.

Cheers,
AuPh