Legendary performer Tony Bennett made his debut appearance at London's iTunes Fest at the Roundhouse and this stellar performance features the multi-Grammy award winner performing his biggest hits, among them, "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Fly Me to the Moon," and his signature song "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."
In the 1960s and 1970s, the annual Grand Gala du Disque was the awards ceremony during which the Edison Awards were presented to Dutch and international artists. These prestigious events were landmarks in the history of Dutch music broadcasting. On February 15, 1974, the astounding Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson and his trio of drummer Kenny Clarke and bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen performed at the Grand Gala du Disque in RAI Amsterdam. They are soon after joined by eminent French-Italian violinist Stéphane Grappelli.
Live Recording at the Palais Des Sports from 1977. Aretha Franklin performs songs like ‘Respect’, ‘You make me feel like a natural woman’, ‘La vie en Rose’ and ‘Singing in the Rain’.
Rotterdam’s ‘ BIRD’ is a club, café and restaurant with a live music programme that's deeply rooted in jazz, and also branches out towards soul, funk, hip-hop and electronic music as well. Its name ‘BIRD’ refers to the nickname of the legendary New York jazz saxophonist, bebop co-founder Charlie Parker (1920-1955). BIRD serves Neapolitan pizzas, good wines, no-nonsense beers and an all-round metropolitan rawness. Since 2014, this urban jazz club and DJAZZ.tv have been collaborating for a series of music programmes: ‘BIRD.tv’, allowing you to experience the best BIRD concerts and interviews as from a first row seat! In today’s episode Shayna Steele, who can do everything: from background singing with Rihanna via the big Broadway Show on to guest songstress on hit singles by Moby. In order to do so much at once, a versatile voice is a must. And it is exactly this versatility that the American songstress delivers at her concerts, without ever losing the musical direction. From swinging acoustic Samba to storming guitar funk, everything fits like a mould. Presented with a generous portion of charm and impressive dynamic.
The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is a world-renowned concert hall, known for its first-rate acoustics. It has attracted many famous performers over the years and is one of the Netherlands' most treasured musical institutions. On November 2, 1958, American jazz titan Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performed two concerts at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Among the many talents in the Orchestra were trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Quentin Jackson, saxophonist Johnny Hodges and violinist Ray Nance.
The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam is a world-renowned concert hall, known for its first-rate acoustics. It has attracted many famous performers over the years and is one of the Netherlands' most treasured musical institutions. On November 2, 1958, American jazz titan Duke Ellington and his Orchestra performed two concerts at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Among the many talents in the Orchestra were trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Quentin Jackson, saxophonist Johnny Hodges and violinist Ray Nance.
Vocalist Jazzmeia Horn’s 2019 Malta Jazz Festival appearance was a celebration of jazz’s future, infused with the soul of its past. Featuring Keith Brown (piano), Rashaan Carter (bass), Irwin Hall (flute and saxophone), and Anwar Marshall (drums), the young singer’s performance was a reminder of jazz’s enduring power to speak to the heart. Situated at the Valletta waterfront outside Our Lady of Liesse Church, Horn’s concert was a truly spellbinding experience.
The North Sea Jazz Festival is the largest indoor music festival in the world, known globally as the event where the past, present and future of jazz are featured within three days. Next to a firm base of jazz as the festival’s staple music genre, many others, such as blues, soul, funk, or hip hop, pass by. In 1979, legendary Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson gave a stunning performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague. With talented double bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen accompanying him, Peterson demonstrated his piano skills with aplomb.
Trumpeter Jacques Kuba Séguin’s ensemble unites some of Montreal’s most expressive musicians: apart from Jacques Kuba Séguin, double bassist Frédéric Alarie, pianist Jonathan Cayer, and drummer Kevin Warren deliver subtle but strong lyrical moments, that make it hard not to be touched by the musical bond of this group. The experience of their ‘Litania Projekt’ seems to stop time for an instant. Together with his expressive musicians, Jacques presents a program that swings between modernity and tradition.
These portraits of artists, concerts and festivals give a good impression of the jazz world. Both famous and less famous jazz artists will give a new insight in their life. DJAZZ asked them why they wrote that special song, what was the first record they bought and what is his or her most precious musical memory. The festival portraits are beautiful reports filmed at the most special jazz festivals and concerts. They revive the memory of the festival, the music and the experience.
Every year since 1970, the German city of Burghausen has been hosting one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. During Burghausen International Jazz Week, Burghausen becomes a 'Bavarian jazz mecca': guests from all over the world join the Burghausers to enjoy the most wonderful jazz performances as the colorful hustle and bustle of spectators and musicians shake up the city. In 2019, one of these artists is the legendary bluesman Lucky Peterson, master of the blues guitar and Hammond organ, who celebrates 50 years on stage. Peterson is accompanied by his band The Organization, augmented by the talented vocalist Tamara Tramell. In a singular performance, she offers a fascinating mix of southern soul and modern R&B, exploring the limits of blues and funk.
'Münchner Klaviersommer' was an annual concerts series that took place from 1981 to 1998 in Munich, Germany. Although the festival's name suggests a strong focus on piano music, it featured countless famous musicians from jazz and classical music – not just pianists. The concerts were usually held in July at The Gasteig, home of the Munich Philharmonic. In 1991, Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba was one of the artists appearing here. Together with Reinaldo Melian on trumpet, Felipe Cabrera on bass and Julio Barreto on drums, Rubalcaba showcased not only his technical ability as a virtuoso pianist in challenging repertoire of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane, but also his skills as a composer.
For the 40th anniversary of jazz legend Miles Davis' legendary album Bitches Brew, trumpeter Wallace Roney leads a band that revives the master's music. This project is the brainchild of Miles' family (including his son Erin), which is represented by his nephew, drummer Vince Wilburn. This concert at the ancient theater in Vienne, France, is a grand tribute to Miles.
The North Sea Jazz Festival is the largest indoor music festival in the world, known globally as the event where the past, present and future of jazz are featured within three days. Next to a firm base of jazz as the festival’s staple music genre, many others, such as blues, soul, funk, or hip hop, pass by. In 1982, American trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis and his quintet performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague. Accompanied by brother/saxophonist Branford Marsalis, drummer Jeff Watts, bassist Phil Bauer and pianist Kenny Kirkland, 20-year-old Wynton Marsalis shows his pedigree as a former member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers.
They are three siblings, born in Israel, passed through New York, each leading brilliant careers. The youngest, Avishai, has established himself as one of the most original trumpet players of the moment, author of highly acclaimed albums on the ECM label. The second youngest, Anat, saxophonist and clarinetist, in love with Brazilian music and Benny Goodman, is one of the great "jazzwomen" of today. Less visible, but no less active, the elder Yuval, who plays soprano sax, is one of the most respected musicians in Israeli jazz. Under the name "Three Cohens", they periodically get together for the pleasure of swinging together, as they did as teenagers.
The American gospel group The Jackson Singers, founded by Bob Jackson in 1980, found a warm welcome in Europe, where they have toured for decades. Embraced for their powerful spirituals and gospel music, they have become a celebrated presence in churches, cathedrals, and jazz festivals across the continent. In this concert recording from the Ascona New Orleans Jazz Festival, held in late June and early July 1998 at picturesque Lake Maggiore in Ascona, Switzerland, The Jackson Singers deliver a breathtaking performance that brings the entire audience to its feet.
Award-winning saxophonist Michael Blicher, Hammond wizard Dan Hemmer and legendary drummer Steve Gadd joined forces in 2014 to celebrate their shared love for Hammond-organ soul jazz. The band, which tours extensively throughout the world, has released several albums. Their third album, which was released in November 2019, features U.K. vocalist Paul Carrack on the soulful ballad 'The First One To Know'.
This film is a souvenir of an extraordinary concert. It reveals the true personality of Liz Mc Comb: more than a great gospel singer, she is a lover who dreams of sharing her generosity with us. Liz Mc Comb sings, among others, 'I'm Just a Poor Wayfaring Stranger' for all the immigrants in the world, followed by her famous 'Time Is Now'.
Every year since 1970, the German city of Burghausen has been hosting one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. During Burghausen International Jazz Week, Burghausen becomes a 'Bavarian jazz mecca': guests from all over the world join the Burghausers to enjoy the most wonderful jazz performances as the colorful hustle and bustle of spectators and musicians shake up the city. One of the artists performing here in 2019 is Al Di Meola. This pioneering guitarist blends world music, rock and jazz. His ongoing fascination for complex rhythmic syncopation, combined with provocative lyrical melodies and sophisticated harmony, has been at the heart of his music throughout a celebrated career. The Grammy Award-winner has achieved international fame both as a solo artist and due to his collaborations with the world's biggest artists.
These portraits of artists, concerts and festivals give a good impression of the jazz world. Both famous and less famous jazz artists will give a new insight in their life. DJAZZ asked them why they wrote that special song, what was the first record they bought and what is his or her most precious musical memory. The festival portraits are beautiful reports filmed at the most special jazz festivals and concerts. They revive the memory of the festival, the music and the experience.
Forq is an instrumental quartet with an aggressive sound and a penchant for sonic exploration. Originally founded by keyboardist Henry Hey (David Bowie, Empire of the Sun, and Jeff "Tain" Watts) and bassist Michael League (Grammy-winning founder of Snarky Puppy), Forq is joined by guitarist Chris McQueen and drummer Jason "JT" Thomas. Their group sound draws from various musical paths of its members, whether it’s Jason’s swampy grooves and shuffles, Chris’ singular sonic approach to guitar, Henry’s zeal for unique keyboard sounds and twisted ear candy, or Michael’s driving world-influenced grooves. The band pushes further down the sonic rabbit hole with their stunning music. This concert was filmed during Mondriaan Jazz Festival 2017, The Hague.
Every year since 1970, the German city of Burghausen has been hosting one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. During Burghausen International Jazz Week, Burghausen becomes a 'Bavarian jazz mecca': guests from all over the world join the Burghausers to enjoy the most wonderful jazz performances as the colorful hustle and bustle of spectators and musicians shake up the city. One of the bands performing here in 2019 is the Walter Trout Band. Trout, who was born in New Jersey and is based in Los Angeles, is a world-famous contemporary blues rock guitarist and vocalist.
In 1971, the camera crew of the Western series Gunsmoke travelled from Hollywood to the Pacific Northwest to capture blues greats Muddy Waters, Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton and George “Harmonica” Smith during their tour. This documentary shows some of their best performances at the University of Oregon followed by footage and interviews on the road.
The Newport Jazz Festival, first established in the North-American town of Newport, Rhode Island in the summer of 1954, has now grown to become one of the largest multi-day celebrations of jazz worldwide. It has resulted in numerous famous live albums from top-rate jazz stars, and has spawned several worldwide tours, including editions of the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. In 1968, the Newport Jazz Festival in Rotterdam welcomed three talented Americans: pianist Horace Silver, guitarist Muddy Waters, and trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, alongside their bands.
New Cool Collective is one of the foremost Dutch jazz ensembles. Pioneering new blends of music styles since 1993, NCC has performed in various formations, from small combos to larger ensembles and even big bands! The ensemble’s high energy is cut out for the dance floors, as dance, Latin, salsa, afrobeat and boogaloo all meet in a jazzy mix. NCC includes saxophonist Benjamin Herman, guitarist Rory Ronde, drummer Joost Kroon, percussionists Frank van Dok and Jos de Haas, pianist Willem Friede, bassist Leslie Lopez, and trumpeter David Rockefeller.
'Münchner Klaviersommer' was an annual concerts series that took place from 1981 to 1998 in Munich, Germany. Although the festival's name suggests a strong focus on piano music, it featured countless famous musicians from jazz and classical music – not just pianists. The concerts were usually held in July at The Gasteig, home of the Munich Philharmonic. In 1994, legendary swing band leader and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton performed his own arrangements of jazz standards with Junior Mance on piano, Jimmy Woode on bass and Bobby Durham on drums. They were joined by the St. Petersburg State Orchestra conducted by Alexander Tschernuschenko, to create an exciting big band sound on rousing performances of ‘In the Mood’ and ‘Air Mail Special’. The program ends with Hampton singing Louis Armstrong's latter-day hit ‘What a Wonderful World’.
On July 20, 2018, double bassist Christian McBride presented his band ‘New Jawn’ at the Malta Jazz Festival. A five-time Grammy winner, McBride is one of the most requested, most recorded, and most respected figures in the music world today. Hailing from Philadelphia, this music luminary combines jazz, R&B, pop/rock, hip hop/neo-soul, and classical. Gracing the Malta Jazz stage with him are Nasheet Waits (drums), Marcus Strickland (tenor sax), and Josh Evans (trumpet).
On June 18, 1962, American pianist and composer Erroll Garner performed at the Singer Concertzaal in Laren. The vibrant and joyous concert was played with drummer Kelly Martin and bassist Eddie Calhoun, each long-standing collaborators from Garner's trio. The Singer Concertzaal in Laren, the Netherlands is a concert hall and museum dedicated to the preservation of the art collection of American William Henry Singer. It features a variety of artists, both visual and aural.
