Coleman Hawkins/Erroll Garner/Jimmy Smith (Jazz Icons IV series Bonus Disc)
More video performances from three artists in the Jazz Icons IV series: Coleman Hawkins in England in 1966, Erroll Garner in Holland in 1962 & Jimmy Smith in Denmark in 1968
Studio: Reelin’ in the Years/ Jazz Icons [Distr. by Naxos] [Release date: 10/27/09] [Available only as part of entire set]
Video: 4:3 B&W
Audio: Dolby mono
All regions
Extras: 12 page booklet with details on each performer
Length: 65 minutes
Rating: ****
This eighth disc in the Jazz Icons IV series – which is unavailable separately – provides most worthwhile viewing of performances by three of the top artists represented on others of the seven DVDs in the fourth set. The first of the three was probably left out of the Coleman Hawkins DVD because it was already 140 minutes – one of the longest in the series – and because it also featured legendary saxist/composer/bandleader Benny Carter on alto sax in some of the four selections. Also in the quintet were Teddy Wilson on piano, Louis Bellson on drums and Bob Cranshaw on doublebass. The opening Blue Lou is a terrific two-sax vehicle for Hawkins and Carter, and the video shots are very good. On their last number Louis Bellson does a gangbusters drum solo that even got my interest, and I dislike drum solos. I would say that this segment is one of the highlights of the entire fourth series!
The three Erroll Garner trio selections were bypassed for Garner’s DVD in the set due to the video quality being rather washed out, without much grey tones. However, it’s not unviewable and the audio is fine. All three tunes provide more of the uniquely swinging Garner keyboard approach, with the pianist seeming to have more fun doing it than anyone. The five Jimmy Smith selections, totalling 28 minutes, come from the archive of American jazz performances filmed in Denmark – a result of many jazz legends living there at the time or spending much time there, where they were really appreciated. His bassist is Nathan Page, with Charles Crosby on drums. The trio was on tour in Denmark and what makes this session different from the ones on Smith’s separate DVD is that it was done in a TV studio without an audience present. He reduces the often huge dynamic range of his playing, probably with an ear to the limitations of video audio at the time and these tracks don’t suffer from the distortion heard on the separate DVD. However, when Jimmy does his vocal on Got My Mojo Working, is voice is quite distorted. The trio is set up in a semicircle and the visual coverage is fine, if not especially creative.
TrackList:
Hawkins: Blue Lou, I Can’t Get Started, Body and Soul, Disorder at the Border
Garner: Where or When, Mambo Erroll, Misty
Smith: Ode to Billie Joe, Sonymoon for Two, Days of Wine and Roses, Got My Mojo Working, Satin Doll
— John Henry
