Customer Reviews

Norman Granz Jazz In Montreux Presents Benny Carter '77

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Benny Carter's long career in the jazz world made him
a true master of the art. He played, wrote, arranged,
led small groups, big bands, and done with class. On
this DVD he plays his alto sax, which he is a true master
of, but also picks up a trumpet and wows you. He stars
with Ray Bryant on piano, Jimmie Smith on drums, and Niel
Orsted Pederson on bass. Don't miss this one, it is great.

This is another in the amazing series of Norman Granz concerts from the 1970's, which have been released on DVD. Benny Carter was a Jazz giant who was still playing until the age of 90. Here in 1977 (only 70 at the time!) he is captured at Montreux in great form.

He plays a set which consists mainly of standards:
Three Little Words
In a Mellow Tone
Wave
Undecided
Body & Soul
On Green Dolphin Street
Here's That Rainy day

As well as Jimmie Smith on drums, Neils Pederson is on Bass and Ray Bryant is on Piano. Other Jazz musicians called Benny Carter 'King' - watch this DVD and you will know why.

A fine concert by one of the legends of jazz, Benny Carter, blowing his alto sax (and occasionally trumpet) with the dexterity and soul just as he did 40 years earlier... Mostly playing well known standards, he gets a good rapport with the audience, which usually doesn't hurt a jazz performance...

One of the miracles of musical longevity in jazz, Carter is basically playing in swing style (with a beautiful and expressive tone on both instruments), and some occasional glimpses of modernity make this music mainstream jazz...
The rest of his quartet is also great, so this German/Suiss television document is highly recomendable (Carter is also an arranger and composer held in great esteem but that is not evident on this DVD).

It's only strange that this great an edition of DVDs does not provide the names of authors of the songs...