Quincy Jones - Live in '60 (Jazz Icons)

This is a DVD of two fantastic concerts by a little-known big band led by Quincy Jones in 1959-61. The liner notes tell the story of how the band was originally formed to play for a show in Paris and then London but became unemployed when the show closed. Jones took the band on tour, with a combination of his and bandmembers' arrangements. Because the band played almost entirely in Europe, it has not become well known in the US (except via legend) and does not have a recording history.The music here is "typical" big-band music of the time (reminiscent of Count Basie more than any other band), except that it is far better than most. The arrangements are both surprising and satisfying, going beyond cliches of the big-band style. The soloists are fantastic. Well known musicians such as Phil Woods (before he put on his cap), Quentin "Butter" Jackson, Budd Johnson, and Clark Terry play just as well as you expect them too. But for me the most interesting aspect of the DVD is the lesser known musicians who are captured here. Benny Bailey plays beautifully; after the band broke up, he stayed in Europe, and America was denied one of the great trumpet players of his generation. Melba Liston is best known to us now as an arranger, especially for Randy Weston. She is captured here playing in the trombone section and on a gorgeous solo on "My Reverie." I have read her name a hundred times but have never actually heard her play before (a search on Amazon gives zero hits to her name in the music category). The wonderful Sahib Shihab is another expatriate who spent most of his playing life in Europe and therefore is little known in the US. But his baritone sax work here is extraordinary. Julius Watkins on french horn, Ake Persson on trombone, and Jerome Richardson are three other excellent musicians that you have never seen in concert.I am emphasizing the historical importance of this disk--the fact that it captures many important musicians who are not widely available elsewhere. However, the music is just fun and beautifully played. You won't feel as if you are doing homework by watching it.The sound quality was very good, even though mono. The videotape has suffered some loss over the years: halos around people's heads, blurring and artifacts during fast movement, occasional video noise of various kinds. But this does not detract from the enjoyment of the concerts. My initial expectation of the DVD was somewhat low. I thought it might be a workaday big-band outing. Instead, it is an extraordinary document of one of the best bands to play in that era.

This is apparently the only known footage of Quincy Jones' legendary big band of 1960. The music is stellar, absolutely top-notch stuff. Innovative and beautiful arrangements, great solos. If you love big band music, get this. Anybody who doubts that this band was as good as (or better) than Basie's band of the time needs to see this. You will rarely if ever find a better band with better material than this one. I only wish more people knew Quincy Jones for his genius as an arranger and bandleader.The quality of the recording itself is quite good. The first half looks like a filmed studio date with no audience, shot with 3 cameras on (maybe) 16mm black and white film. The picture quality I give an A, sound quality a B. The second half is a live concert situation, probably also shot with 3 cameras, 16mm black and white film. The picture quality of this second half gets a B and the sound quality an A.It is really rare to see a band of this quality presented so well on DVD. A real treasure.

These two 1960 performances by the Jones big band are top-notch, especially the one in Switzerland. Personnel vary between the two, but Phil Woods is the standout soloist on both, although Melba Liston, Clark Terry, Patti Bown, Jerome Richardson, Julius Watkins, and Benny Bailey are among the other musicians offering satisfying improvisations as well. Worthwhile listening, especially for fans of big band jazz. Very good audio and video quality.

This is one of the least of the glorious Jazz Icon series on DVD. Yes, it's worth the money, and jazz fans will want to own it. But there are flaws. The picture is okay, in general. The sound is only adequate. Worse, the director had a score and irritatingly flicks between the sections and soloists whenever they are featured. Soloists down front got the camera almost up their nose.The band itself was pretty good, but not the best you've seen and heard. The rhythm section was quite mediocre (the guitar can rarely be heard). French horn player Julius Watkins was given a lot of time to show off his boring chops. On the other hand, no one could complain about Phil Woods, Quentin Jackson, Jerome Richardson, Benny Bailey, and Clark Terry. This tape may contain the only example of a Melba Liston solo. Quincy's arrangements are well above average. The band leader himself just stands in front of the band, wiggling a lot through the numbers, displaying a truly ill-fitting jacket.So buy it. If only for Phil Woods. But the film does not compete effectively with the other entries in the series.

I just purchased this dvd and I am very satisfied with the content and clarity of the video. It is that very good for its age.

Really like Quincy... Thanks

Good selections, well played.

Two of the three videos are of excellent quality, but one looks to be a kinescope copy, and the video is blurry and very contrasty. In all three, the audio quality is good, however.

I loved this and it has disappeared, someone else must love it too

Die Aufnahme wurde gemacht als Quincy Jones noch "echten" Jazz machte.Einfach genial - wenngleich ich die Positionierung des Drummers sehrungewöhlich ist.Von der Pianistin, bzw. der Frau an der Posaune habe ich noch nie etwas gehört.

数少ないQuincyの映像です、特にTrumpet　BennyBailey「I　Remember　Clifford」は必見です。