Count Basie

Count Basie - Live in '62 (Jazz Icons)

A lot of words can be used to describe the performance of the Count Basie Orchestra on Live in '62, an hour-long concert recorded in Sweden, but one will suffice: swingin'. No big band, not even the great Duke Ellington's, ever swung as relentlessly, or effortlessly, as Basie's various ensembles, and this one is a prime example. Having split up his so-called "Old Testament" band in the early '50s, Basie was at it again a few years later with this "New Testament" outfit, which featured great players like trumpeters Snooky Young and Thad Jones, trombonist Quentin Jackson, saxophonists Marshal Royal and Frank Wess, the eternal Freddie Green on guitar, and the amazing drummer Sonny Payne. The 11 tunes performed here (and reproduced with surprisingly crisp, clear audio and black & white visuals) include some Basie staples (like Green's "Corner Pocket" and Basie's own signature "One O'Clock Jump"), a few jazz classics ("I Got Rhythm," "Old Man River," "Stella by Starlight"), and three vocal numbers featuring Irene Reid. Every one of them is a delight, with superb arrangements highlighting the band's ensemble playing, masterful control of dynamics, excellent soloing, more than a few touches of humor… and, of course, that ineffable swing. Tough to pick a particular highlight, but Payne's lengthy solo spot on "Old Man River" might be it--not only is he a sensational drummer, spinning out rhythms as if they were melodies and never once losing the tempo, but the way he tosses and juggles his sticks is marvelously entertaining. A thorough and informative accompanying booklet more than makes up for the lack of bonus features. --Sam Graham

Jazz Icons: Count Basie features one of the greatest big band orchestras captured at the height of their considerable powers. Billed frequently as the Â"most explosive force in jazz,Â" this recently discovered 60-minute concert, taped in Sweden in 1962, highlights the legendary musical talents of this 18-piece band which included such luminaries as Marshal Royal, Freddie Green, Quentin Â"ButterÂ" Jackson, Frank Wess and sensational drummer Sonny Payne. This is the earliest known complete concert of Count Basie and his orchestra to be released on DVD. Stellar performances include Â"Corner Pocket,Â" Â"Old Man River,Â" and Â"One OÂ'Clock Jump.Â"

Harlem Renaissance / Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Nat King Cole

A fabulous look at Harlem and its greatest musicians of the 20s, 30s and 40s: with extraordinary archival, full song performances by Fats Waller (This Joint Is Jumpin', Ain't Misbehaving, Your Feets Too Big), Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (Let's Scuffle), Dorothy Dandridge (Easy Street), Cab Calloway (We The Cats Will Hep You), Mills Brothers (Caravan, Cielito Lindo), Tiny Grimes (Romance Without Finance), Duke Ellington (Cottontail, Satin Doll) , Count Basie (The Start of Something Big, Take Me Back Baby)), Dizzy Gillespie (Salt Peanuts), Sidney Bechet (Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen), Nat King Cole (Frim Fram Sauce, I'm A Shy Guy, That's My Girl, Calypso Blues), Louis Armstrong (Swingin' On Nothin') and others. Featuring commentary by distinguished historians and the performers themselves, this program traces the roots of the music of the Harlem Renaissance, its social impact on society and its eventual acceptance in mainstream culture. 2004 Production.

Count Basie at Carnegie Hall

Count Basie delivers a spectacular show live from Carnegie Hall on March 20, 1981 celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of his illustrious career. This all-star tribute celebrates also features Sarah Vaughn, Tony Bennett, George Benson, and Joe Williams.

Frank Sinatra - The Man and His Music

A Classic Christmas - The Ed Sullivan Show

Capture the warmth, joy and magic of the holiday season in A Classic Christmas; from the Ed Sullivan Show. This one hour special features some of the biggest classic holiday song performers to date including Bing Crosby, Johnny Mathis and Connie Francis. Share some festive family seasonal moments with group performances from Alvin & The Chipmunks and Rick Little. Enjoy a sing along with The Muppets, George Carlin and Brook Benton. This holiday special is a timely classic that brings the joy of the season into everyone s heart and home.

The Last of the Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story

Kansas City in the 1930s was a wild, wide-open place. Under political boss Tom Pendergast, the booze flowed freely, prostitution and gambling flourished, and the Depression pretty much passed the city by, making it an ideal spawning ground for some great music. Pianist-bandleader Count Basie, saxophone immortals Lester Young and Charlie Parker, and blues belters Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Rushing were all working there, along with a host of lesser- known but equally formidable musicians, and they all played the blues, Kansas City style.

Director Bruce Ricker's 90-minute The Last of the Blue Devils chronicles the 1979 reunion of many of these legendary players, combining interviews, vintage film footage, photos, and some inimitably swinging performances by Basie, Turner, pianist Jay McShann, and many others to create an intimate, good- natured portrait of what one old-timer calls the "cool, relaxed sound" of the city. The camaraderie among these men, all of whom are colorful raconteurs (drummer Ernie Williams's harangues to some bemused local kids are especially entertaining), is palpable. But it's the music, unsurprisingly, that's the main attraction; performances include some familiar tunes, like Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and a Basie big band version of "Night Train" (featuring tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, the tune's composer) that's as greasy as the local barbecue. The Last of the Blue Devils is an absolute delight. --Sam Graham

Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Count Basie Big Band '77

Continuing our Norman Granz Jazz In Montreux series is a 1977 concert by the Count Basie Big Band. Basie was quite simply the greatest bandleader in the history of jazz as well as one of the most consistent sellers in this genre.Track Listing:1) The Heat s On2) Freckle Face3) Splanky4) The More I See You5) A Night In Tunisia6) Bag Of Dreams7) Things Ain t What They Used To Be8) I Needs To Be Bee d With9) Li l Darlin10) Fantail11) Jumpin At The Woodside12) One O Clock JumpFormat: DVD AUDIO Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 801213906291 Manufacturer No: EE39062-9

Monterey Jazz Festival: 40 Legendary Years

Monterey Jazz Festival - Place Miles first on the bill. He wants those "fresh ears." And how about the time Jon Hendricks stepped on stage still jotting down the composition he was to perform? "Aren't you ready" musical director John Lewis asked. "Never" Hendricks laughed. Yet the result was perfection in progress: the legendary debut of Evolution of the Blues. And what about Ella, Louis, Dizzy, Sarah, Dave, Monk, Clark Terry, even Lady Day? They're also part of the lore that one weekend every year makes Monterey synonymous with jazz. Hosted by contemporary favorites Joshua Redman and Patrice Rushen and featuring archival performance footage plus on-camera commentary from notables (including lifetime jazz buff Clint Eastwood), this compendium of the Monterey Jazz Festival sings, swings and syncopates with joy. Like eggs and bacon and romance and roses, some things just go together. Things like Monterey and jazz, going together now for 40 magical, musical years. Year: 1998 Director: William Harper - Starring: Joshua Redman, Patrice Rushen

DVD Features:
Interactive Menus
Music Video
Production Notes

Count Basie Swinging at His Best

He set the tone for modern jazz accompaniment with his trademark syncopated piano chords. Now you can the very best of the late, great pianist and bandleader William "Count" Basie in rare, archival performances.

Join him in One O'Clock Jump, Basie's Boogie, Jumpin' at the Woodside, and many more, including a rare duet with the legendary Billie Holiday on It's Now Baby Or Never.

No fan of jazz should be without COUNT BASIE SWINGING AT HIS BEST.

Song List:

Rhythm Time Basie's Boogie Swingin' the Blues Conversation Basie's Other Boogie If I Could Be With You One O'Clock Jump God Bless The Child Now Baby or Never Basie Jumps Again Please Take Me Back Quicksand Slow Blues Twenty Minute After Three I'll Get By Count Me In

Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Count Basie Jam '75

Swing, blues, and improvisation--the central components of jazz--are in full effect on Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Count Basie Jam '75. No one, but no one, could swing with more ease than pianist-bandleader Basie, who, as part of a rhythm section that also includes the great drummer Louis Bellson and bassist Niels Pedersen, provides rock-solid backing for the front line of trumpeter Roy Eldridge, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. There are no frills here, and no surprises; we're watching six superb musicians jamming the blues, including two standards ("Billie's Bounce" and "Lester Leaps In") and two "Montreux Blues" improvised for the occasion. Griffin has a full, tough style reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins, while Eldridge is a bit more elliptical and Jackson (one of the instrument's two principal exponents in the 20th century, along with Lionel Hampton) is in typically fine form; all three solo at considerable length while the rhythm section swings tirelessly behind them. The visuals lack a certain crispness, but the remastered sound is excellent, and critic Nat Hentoff offers insight into the nature of jazz and the character and contributions of producer-promoter-label executive Norman Granz, a crusty fellow who was nonetheless an indefatigable champion of the music and the people who played it. Other than the musicians' wardrobes (it's a good thing their playing doesn't clash the way some of their shirts, jackets, and ties do, or the result would be sheer cacophony), there is simply nothing here for jazz fans not to like. --Sam Graham

Norman Granz is one of the most important non-musicians in the history of jazz and no one has made a greater contribution to the staging, recording and filming of jazz concerts. This series of performances from the prestigious Montreux Jazz FestivalTM now makes a part of this legacy available on dvd for the first time. The "jam" is one of the great traditions of jazz and when you have a line up like this 1975 concert you can really see why. The great Count Basie is in charge of proceedings from the piano and is aided and abetted by the likes of Niels Pedersen on bass, Louis Bellson on drums, Milt Jackson on vibraphone and Roy Eldridge on trumpet and saxophone. It's pure jazz magic.Billie's Bounce Roy Eldridge, Count Basie, Johnny Griffin, Niels Pedersen, Louis Bellson & Milt Jackson Montreux blues I Johnny Griffin & Milt Jackson Lester leaps in Johnny Griffin, Milt Jackson Roy Eldridge, Niels Pedersen & Louis Bellson Montreux blues II Roy Eldridge, Milt Jackson & Johnny Griffin