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Summary:

This documentary illustrates the long career of William "Count" Basie, from the swing period of the 1930s until the 1950s/1970s, which were as prolific in terms of his notoriety. It is a pure delight, with tasty stories told by the former members of the orchestra (Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Benny Powell, George Lewis, and also the music critic Ira Gitler) and quality archives. The film inevitably opens with "One O'Clock Jump," the orchestra's signature tune in a black and white clip from 1951 before offering another emblematic title of the band: "Jumpin' At The Woodside" recorded in 1937. We also enjoy the performances of Billy Eckstine in "Stormy Monday" and "Alright, Okay, You Win." But the most moving images are those where Billie Holiday, sublime and quivering, sings "God Bless The Child" and "Now Baby or Never" in 1952, and those taken from the 1957 film The Sound Of Jazz; already broken by life, she vibrates listening to the chorus of her soul brother Lester Young. There's also, unexpectedly and hilariously, a comedic Jerry Lewis at his best, miming the instruments on Frank Foster's "Blues In Hoss' Flat" and Neal Hefti's "Cute." What can we say about "Lil' Darlin'," which Henri Salvador wrote into a little "Count Basie" tune, except that this theme has become the signature par excellence of this institution which imposed precision of execution and soloists of exception. Philippe Lesage.

Contributors:

Keys, Gary , filmmaker

Basie, Count, 1904-1984 , performer

Count Basie Orchestra , performer, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prf

Qwest TV , publisher, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/pbl

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

In English.

Subjects:

Basie, Count, 1904-1984

Count Basie Orchestra

Jazz musicians — United States — Biography

Pianists — United States — Biography

Composers — United States — Biography

Jazz

Jazz musicians

Pianists

Composers

United States

Genres:

Documentary films

Biographical films

Jazz

Online media

Internet videos

Biographies

General Notes:

Title from title screen (viewed December 12, 2022).
Streaming media.
Restricted to the University of North Texas System.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 video file (71 min.))

Digital Characteristics:

video file

Call Numbers:

Online Video

OCLC Numbers:

1358779970

Other Control Numbers:

99609116400971 (source: VaAlASP)
5363448 (source: VaAlASP)
[Unknown Type]: ASP5363448/avon