Product Description

Jazz Icons: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers features what many consider to be one of the fi nest line-ups in the history of jazz—Bobby Timmons (Piano), Jymie Merritt (Bass), Benny Golson (Sax) and the legendary trumpet player, Lee Morgan. Lost for nearly 50 years, this historic 55 minute concert, fi lmed in Belgium in 1958, one month to the day after they recorded their masterpiece Moanin,’ is the only known visual document of this infl uential band who were together for only six months.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19551 in DVD
• Brand: Jazz
• Released on: 2006-09-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, DVD, Live, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 55 minutes

Amazon.com
The edition of drummer Art Blakey's protean Jazz Messengers featured on this DVD had been together for just a couple of months when Live in '58 was recorded in Brussels, Belgium. As it happened, this quintet would stay together for barely half a year--but what a lineup it was, with Blakey joined by pianist Bobby Timmons, tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, bassist Jymie Merritt, and the astonishing 20-year-old trumpeter Lee Morgan. All five were powerhouse musicians, but what made these Messengers, and this hour-long show, really special was the presence of two world-class composers: Golson (two of whose three contributions here, "I Remember Clifford" and "Whisper Not," are certified jazz classics) and Timmons (whose "Moanin'," recorded just a month earlier, is another classic and one of the signature tunes in the entire Blue Note Records catalogue). The 14-minute version of "Moanin'" may be the highlight of the night. The song itself, with its gospel-based, call-and-response verse alternating with an ineffably swinging bridge, is irresistible; add to that some wonderful individual soloing, especially by the ultra-funky Timmons, and you've got a performance of timeless brilliance. Not that the others aren't good as well. Morgan shines on "Clifford," Golson's tribute to the late trumpeter Clifford Brown; the entire group cooks like mad on the uptempo standard "It's You or No One"; and "A Night in Tunisia" showcases Blakey, the band's engine and one of the few drummers whose style, with its African influences matched by effortless swing, is instantly recognizable. While they may not be up to new millennium standards, the black & white visuals (it was a multi-camera shoot, unusual for its time) and digitally-remastered audio are surprisingly good, and although there are no bonus features, the fact that this is apparently the only known visual document of these particular Jazz Messengers makes Live in '58 a genuine treasure. --Sam Graham

Jazz Times
"Jazz Icons is doing for jazz what the Criterion Collection has done for classic and important films".

From the Director
JAZZ ICONS(tm) is an ongoing DVD series featuring full-length concerts and in-studio performances by the greatest legends of jazz, filmed all over the world from the 1950s through the 1970s. Beautifully transferred from the riginal masters, none of these concerts has ever been officially released on home video, and in many cases, the material was never broadcast. Each DVD is produced with the full support and cooperation of the artists or their estates. JAZZ ICONS(tm) comes to you from Reelin' In The Years Productions, GRAMMY Nominated producers of the American Folk Blues Festival DVDs 1962 - 1966.

Customer Reviews

Blakey in his prime, with a heavyweight lineup
This concert from November 30, 1958 is the only known film of the powerhouse quintet that recorded Blakey's landmark "Moanin'" album -- Blakey on drums, along with pianist Bobby Timmons, trumpeter Lee Morgan, saxophonist Benny Golson and bassist Jymie Merritt. Blakey is to some degree enigmatic (and poorly miked, alas...) but Timmons and Morgan emerge as remarkable up-and-coming players... Timmons shines on a warm version of his song, "Moanin'," which was the first big hit for Blakey's Jazz Messengers, while Morgan -- who was only twenty at the time! -- is simply stunning. Morgan's solo on "It's You, Or No One" is the kind of thing DVDs were made for -- I rewound it five times the first time I watched this disc, just trying to fathom how someone so young could have so much control over their instrument. Although the cinematography is a bit choppy throughout, once you settle into the film's rhythm, this disc yields quite a wealth of historical splendor. Blakey fans and hard bop aficianados will consider this one a must.

Best Blakey Video Available!!
This is the best you will ever see by one of the greatest groups in jazz. Filmed shortly after the
recording of Moanin', the biggest selling Blue Note recording. This is the best video of Lee Morgan
that exitsts. The audio and video quality are flawless. It is a must have for any jazz lover or student of
the music. DO NOT PASS ON THIS!!! It is KILLIN'!!!

Can't wait to see the other one's... What a TREASURE!
Amazing stuff! I had my reservations before purchasing this one, having never heard of these "Jazz Icons" DVD releases before. I was not expecting it to be all that great. Boy was I ever mistaken! After watching this, I can't wait to start purchasing the others in this series. Talk about hitting the mother lode! I can't believe how lucky I am to have discovered this treasure trove of classic jazz performances. The sound quality and camera work are excellent. And the live performance by this incredible quintet is awe-inspiring. I almost feel guilty that I only paid twenty bucks for this - an hour of great music plus a 20-page booklet featuring very well written and informative liner notes by Michael Cuscuna, a foreward by Takashi Taylor (Art's son) and some rare, excellent photographs to boot. Not a bad deal. I would have paid twice as much and been more than satisfied.

You are essentially buying an important piece of American history with this one. It is "the music that changed the world" according to Quincy Jones and while some may look upon that statement as a bit of hyperbole, I tend to agree with him. To see these five artists on film is something truly special for any jazz fan. To be able to watch the young, baby-faced Lee Morgan on trumpet, the austere, perfectionist Bobby Timmons on piano, the blissful and boisterous leader Art Blakey on drums, the reflective, reliable Jymmie Merrit on bass and the composed, temperate Benny Golson on sax... you can't tell me it gets much better than that! These cats play with such intentness, nothing too flashy, never flamboyant, it was all about business, all about playing proficiently and giving it your all.

Trust me folks, this one is a thing of beauty!