Search - Norman Granz Jazz in Montreux Presents Clark Terry Sextet '77 on DVD

Another Classic

S J Buck | Kent, UK | 04/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an amazing DVD, capturing Clark Terry in 1977 with Bobby Durham on Drums, NHOP on bass, Joe Pass Guitar, Oscar Peterson Piano, Milt Jackson Vibes & Ronnie Scott on Tenor Sax.

The playing is frequently astounding, particularly on Donna Lee, where despite a stratospheric tempo the musicians pull of a string of great solos, although even Joe Pass loses it a bit at the end!

Like the vast majority of this series of DVD's, if you're a Jazz fan you should own this. It captures some of the giants of Jazz on film in colour with decent sound, while they were still at their peak.

Sadly Milt Jackson, NHOP, Joe Pass & Ronnie Scott are no longer with us, but in their 80's Oscar Peterson and Clark Terry continue to perform to this day.
BUY and ENJOY.
"

Thank you mr. Granz

Nikica Gilic | Zagreb, Croatia | 04/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since it would simply be silly to disagree with previous comments, I would just like to add that it was a real joy and excitement to hear Terry's gentle interpretation of "God Bless the Child" (one of the least interesting Billie Holiday classical songs if you ask me). He treats it it gently as any other ballad and shows that sophistication sometimes overshadowed by his witty and ebullient side.

"Dona Lee" is another my favorite from this concert, a be-bop storm played as a fitting encore to an obviously high-energy evening (the song was originally credited to the Bird, but it seems to have been written by Miles Davis)... This international group is really cooking /FYI - Terry mostly plays flugelhorn and doesn't sing on this date/.

As a younger fan of classical jazz (I was still in kinder-garden in 1977)I have sort of inherited a puristic disdain for Norman Granz from earlier generation, but after several years of listening and buying the records of the sessions he originally produced (for Pablo, Verve and other labels) I must say I am greatfull for his great contribution. Although some of the sessions are a bit too spectacular, I have a hunch that it's true what some people say: many of the greatest jazz artists (Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, maybe even Clark Terry...) would have remained sadly under-recorded and neglected if it wasn't for Granz's efforts.

And even if I'm wrong in supporting that view, I'm truly greatful for great concerts such as this one. This is the first DVD from the series I have bought (actually, I have a CD that could be from the same concert as the "Basie Jam" DVD featuring Eldridge, Milt Jackson and Johnny Griffin), but it's probably not the last...

Incidentally, it seems that the CD "Pablo Jam" from Montreaux '77 contains most (maybe even all?) of the music from this DVD... If you want to own both that CD and this DVD, beware!

ADDITION from January 2009:
I've also bought Roy Eldridge DVD and seen Ella Fitzgerald DVD from this series; I think I'm gonna get me some more!"