Jazz Icons DVD Series

[J. Montgomery]

Recently I've watched a bunch of jazz concerts in the Jazz Icons DVD series (through NetFlix). I'm a big documentary and concert DVD fan, and this series has really impressed me. So far I've seen a killer Wes Montgomery video, Sonny Rollins (with Niels Pedersen!), Nina Simone, Dave Brubeck, and right now I'm watching Duke Ellington Live in '58!

The Duke Ellington concert is amazing! Its literally a 'How To' put on a concert. The description said its the first full length Ellington concert ever made, which is surprising given how long Ellington had been around at this point. Pretty much all instruments are featured at some point including several non-standard instruments (bass clarinet, bari sax, violin, muted trombone w/ plunger). Lots of dynamics, incredible arrangements, and top notch playing (theres even Clark Terry on trumpet).

I'm looking forward to checking out more of the series (much to my wifes dismay, I'm sure. lol).

Anyone else checked out the series?

[transition]

Yeah - that Sonny Rollins one is great! I watched it right before my first DB lesson, and got a little intimidated watching NHOP.

The Coltrane one is good, too.

[ghiadub]

It has been a few years, but netflix had a Ron Carter (with Art Farmer) DVD that is awesome.