Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Count Basie Jam '75

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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

Description

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

Customer Reviews:

Fun Concert..and correction for S J BUCK.......2005-03-29

Basie rhythm section is of course tight, and I would agree that the front line is not always cohesive, but I still think its great fun. For SJ,in your reply to my Oscar review, the "run" you refer to in "NightTime" is not part of the tune. You have the transciption book taken from the "Live At The Blue Note" concert. He just happened to do a run before the tune and it was put into the transcription for some strange reason. I have no less than 6 recordings of the tune and have heard it live twice. In late 1989 and 1998. Not trying to be a smarty pants, but that is the deal

Can't go wrong.......2005-03-10

This series of DVD's is a treasure trove.
This is basically a jam session with NHOP, Johnny Griffin, Roy Eldridge and Milt Jackson. All are excellent.
Billies Bounce and Lester Leaps are the two well known numbers, the other two are just blues jams.
The Count of course is as cool as can be.
Obviously this being 1975 the sound is not up to modern standards.
That said, these guys are giants of Jazz and I am grateful that they have been captured on film at all.
Enjoy!

They Tried - 2 Stars For Effort.......2004-12-30

Outstanding rhythm section really swings, but over-all the "Jam" just did'nt jell... The Count was the Count - always great... But these sessions were just a series of "tried-to-hard" solos with no cohesiveness... 2 Stars...

Fred Schofield, Alexandria, VA

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