Culled from the 2006 first season of the TV series Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis, this hour-shy compilation—shot in HD and featuring Dolby Digital 5.1 sound—features 13 sterling performances, leading off with Al Jarreau and Kurt Elling's spirited, scat-inflected rendition of the Dave Brubeck classic “Take Five.” Later, Brubeck himself is joined by fellow pianist Billy Taylor for the Duke Ellington landmark “Take the ‘A' Train.” Ranging from smooth jazz (Chris Botti on trumpet performing Rodgers & Hart's “My Funny Valentine”) to standards (vocalist Jane Monheit and guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli well-matched on “They Can't Take That Away From Me”) to jazz blues (guitarists/vocalists Robert Cray and Keb' Mo' serving up the former's “12 Year Old Boy”), other standouts include former Jazz Messenger Benny Golson's quietly powerful “Killer Joe” on tenor sax, Chick Corea's solo piano performance of his “Armando's Rhumba,” Phil Woods and David Sanborn's alto sax-off on “Señor Blues,” and Dave Valentin's smokin' flute on “Obsession.” But the real showstopper is definitely trumpeter Clark Terry's “Mumbles,” a wonderfully nonsensical ditty with essentially only two recognizable words: “but seriously.” Bundled with a CD featuring the same 13 songs, this is an excellent bargain at $19.98. Highly recommended. [Note: Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis: Season One, Volume One—compiling the first four episodes on DVD along with a bonus CD—is also newly available for $24.98.] (R. Pitman)
Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis: Showcase
(2006) 55 min. DVD: $19.98 (bonus audio CD included). LRSmedia (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. Volume 21, Issue 5
Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis: Showcase
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