00:00
Rhoda Scott & La Velle: Hammond, Soul and Blues
American soul and jazz organist Rhoda Scott spent most of her career in France, where she earned recognition far greater than that accorded to her in the United States. There was never any doubt about what instrument she would play as a child. "It's really the most beautiful instrument in the world,” she once stated in an interview. “The first thing I did was take my shoes off and work the pedals.” This performance at the French Festival Jazz à Vienne is extra special. Not only because of the beautiful location, but also because she shares the stage with American gospel and blues singer La Velle. Together they give an intimate and beautiful show in the antique theatre of Vienne.
00:58
Dee Dee Bridgewater: Motherland
Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater walks in with considerable credentials, but this documentary related to her album ‘Red Earth’ trumps them all: Red Earth is a Malian journey that merges and melts all borders. While world-beat listeners will recognize the grooves, this is Bridgewater's first time bringing her own experiences as an African-American woman back to the motherland. It results in a fusion of feeling, visions, and music.
01:46
"Long Tall Dexter" Live in '64
Dexter Gordon: Live in '63 & '64 features three concerts filmed in Holland, Switzerland, and Belgium that highlight the bebop legend's classic style and silky tone. These shows feature legendary side musicians such as Art Taylor (drums) and Kenny Drew (piano), and jazz classics “Blues Walk”, “A Night In Tunisia”, “Body And Soul”, and others. One of the most influential saxophonists in jazz history, Dexter Gordon is captured in sharp form and style in this 70-minute tour de force.
02:55
Wynton Marsalis: In This House, on This Morning
The final concert of the Münchner Klaviersommer 1992 was by Wynton Marsalis and his septet. The 31-years-young star trumpeter performed one of his own jazz suites to the sold-out Philharmonie, under the title of ‘In This House, On This Morning’. The concert covers every jazz style, in composition and improvisation, and in both small and grand forms. Marsalis’s Septet was made up of Wess Anderson (alto saxophone), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), Reginald Veal (bass), Herlin Riley (drums), Todd Williams (tenor saxophone), and Eric Reed (piano).
05:01
John Lewis: Piano Solo
Pianist John Lewis, co-founder and long-time leader of the legendary Modern Jazz Quartet, wrote jazz history with that band. His ability to blend classical forms with jazz improvisations singled him out as a unique artist, who was capable of transcending every musical barrier. When the Modern Jazz Quartet retired, John Lewis continued to work with other musicians and as a solo pianist. This program, recorded in studio conditions, features a spell-binding solo performance.
05:56
Teddy Wilson - Théâtre de l’Atelier
Decades after the 1930s swing era came to an end, one of its giants, pianist Teddy Wilson (1912–1986), kept the flame of this music alive during countless international concert tours. During a hectic spring tour of Europe, the acclaimed pianist appeared at Geneva’s Théâtre de l’Atelier on March 21, 1969. Before Wilson’s concert, Swiss actor Jean Landier recorded an episode of Radio Télévision Suisse’s program ‘Variétés: Jasons Jazz’ with him. After a brief but insightful interview, Teddy Wilson performed ‘After You've Gone’ and ‘Body and Soul’, both with the local rhythm tandem of drummer Peter Giger and double bassist Isla Eckinger. This broadcast is a priceless document of masterful jazz piano in the best of taste.