Dizzy Gillespie DVD

[MartyJazz]

Ordered this DVD recently and finally viewed it this past evening. What a joy!. There are two sets, the first a "Jazz 625" TV program with Dizzy's "Phillips" Quintet at the time, i.e., James Moody, Kenny Barron, Chris White and Rudy Collins. Some real excellent moments particularly a feature for Dizzy on his "Tin Tin Deo", a feature for Moody on flute and the entire quintet on a lengthy version of Jobim's "Chega de Saudade" here titled "No More Blues".

But the real standout of this DVD is an all star septet that appeared the following year at the Royal Jazz Festival, consisting of Diz, Clark Terry, James Moody, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson, Bob Cranshaw and Louis Bellson. While Wilson is most definitely out of place in this group and accordingly does not solo, the front line is fantastic. Diz is wonderful as would be expected, but the solos by Clark Terry (playing flugelhorn only) and Moody in particular are simply terrific. The pieces performed are all Diz compositions, "Ow!', "Tin Tin Deo" again (a feature for Diz), and "The Champ". Admittedly, the audio fidelity of this performance is a bit substandard but the music really shines through. Guaranteed finger snapping because this group really cooks and Bellson especially stands out in the rhythm section.

I got it via the Jazz Loft site here:

http://www.jazzloft.com/p-44939-london-con...5-and-1966.aspx

[sidewinder]

But the real standout of this DVD is an all star septet that appeared the following year at the Royal Jazz Festival, consisting of Diz, Clark Terry, James Moody, Zoot Sims, Teddy Wilson, Bob Cranshaw and Louis Bellson. While Wilson is most definitely out of place in this group and accordingly does not solo, the front line is fantastic.

I wonder if these tracks were taken from the 'Jazz 625' recorded by this line up up in Kilburn, West London (possibly at the Gaumont?). Don't know of any 'Royal' Jazz Festival (oxymoron? the only Royal who would ever touch jazz would be king ubu ). The '625' by this group had a short trio set by Teddy Wilson and also an appearance (and excellent it is) by T-Bone Walker. It was recorded back in 1966 I think (it would be either that or '65 but more likely it is '66).

Edited May 17, 2008 by sidewinder

[Free For All]

I just got this in the mail along with a Clark Terry quintet/big band DVD and a Stitt/J.J./Howard Magee DVD that I've seen before but haven't owned. Love that ImproJazz label!

Looking forward to digging in to these!