Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall

On October 17, 1996, a group of veteran and upcoming jazz musicians gathered at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to actor/director Clint Eastwood, who has consistently featured America's signature art form in his films for the past 30 years, starting with his directorial debut, 1971's Play Misty for Me. For nearly two hours, seasoned players such as Christian McBride, Flip Phillips, Slide Hampton and Thelonius Monk, Jr. were joined by noted youngblood virtuosos Joshua Redman and James Rivers on a two-dozen-plus set of originals and classics featured in Honkytonk Man, The Bridges of Madison County, Unforgiven, Bird, and others. Highlights include Jimmy Scott's luminous vocals on "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," Claude Williams' jazz violin on "San Antonio Rose," a dueling horn duet by Redman and Rivers on "Straight No Chaser/Now's the Time," Redman's soulful take on "These Foolish Things," and raise the roof ensemble versions of "'Round Midnight," "Parker's Mood," and, especially, "Lester Leaps In." Interspersed throughout are film clips and brief interview segments with Eastwood, who joins the players onstage to tickle the ivories for the finale "After Hours." A wonderful, multi-faceted night of jazz, this Dolby Digital stereo disc, which also includes a 10-minute "making of," is highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)