Norman Granz Presents Duke: The Last Jam Session (2008)

This new two-disc set, the latest addition to the Norman Granz collection, brings together two of the greatest names in jazz: Duke Ellington & Ella Fitzgerald. The first disc sees Duke performing live in the South of France with Ella Fitzgerald as his special guest and the second disc contains the previously unseen footage of Duke Ellington in one of his last ever live performances jamming with Joe Pass, Ray Brown and Louie Bellson.

TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: Duke Ellington At The Côte d'Azur with Ella Fitzgerald & Joan Miró 1) The Opener 2) Such Sweet Thunder 3) Medley: Black And Tan Fantasy/Creole Love Call/The Mooche 4) Kinda Dukish 5) The Shepherd 6) The Old Circus Train Turn-Around Blues 7) La Plus Belle Africaine 8) Satin Doll 9) Something To Live For 10) Jazz Samba 11) Things Ain't What They Used To Be

DISC TWO: Duke: The Last Jam Session 1) The Brotherhood 2) Just Squeeze Me 3) Carnegie Blues 4) The Hawk Talks 5) Prelude To A Kiss 6) Cotton Tail 7) Everything But You 8) Love You Madly 9) Fragmented Suite For Piano & Bass

Bonus Features

Disc One: Nat Hentoff presents Duke & Ella / Photo Gallery / Portraits by David Stone Martin.

Disc Two: The last ever interview with bass player Ray Brown.

Norman Granz presents Duke: The last Jam Session

Über Duke's Bigband zu sprechen ist wie Wasser in den Mississippi zu tragen. Mit so vielen Solisten! Eine Überraschung ist sicher Ella, die sich wunderbar in die Band integriert. Schade, dass sie nich mehr mit Duke zusammen spielte. Herrlich, was Duke im zweiten Teil in einem kleinen Kreis mit den grossen Künstlern Joe Pass, Ray Brown und Louie Bellson in einer ungezwungenen Atmosphäre vor geladenen Gästen vollbringt!!! Die zwei DVDs sind zu einem supergünstigen Preis erhältlich. October 12, 2008

Not what I had hoped for...

I was so excited to discover this DVD, and I had high hopes that it would be of good quality. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this DVD. While it's great to hear Duke jamming with Ray Brown, the camera work is gut-wrenchingly terrible, and most of the time Norman Granz is standing in front of the camera. Seriously. The other disc features some goofy camera work as well as some good performances; Ella is wonderful as always, but she and Duke aren't actually performing together (Jimmy Jones is at the piano). If you're looking for a good Duke Ellington DVD, I highly recommend "The Intimate Duke Ellington" instead. October 5, 2008

Excellent!

Bought this DVD for my ailing Dad in The Netherlands. He's loving it and has probably replayed the whole thing several times :o) September 8, 2008

Norman Granz Presents Duke: The Last Jam Session (2008)

I received this item very quickly. This is a great musical fest. Very happy with my purchase. A highly recommended item.
July 14, 2008

"The Great Norman Granz Presents ... Ellington & Fitzgerald ... Eagle Rock Ent (2008)"

Eagle Rock Entertainment presents "DUKE ELLINGTON AT THE COTE D'AZUR WITH ELLA FITZGERALD & JOAN MIRO/DUKE:THE LAST JAM SESSION" --- a true gem for classic jazz enthusiasts, Norman Granz Presents Duke: The Last Jam Session --- Granz captures this unique treasure that relays the toe tapping performances of Ella and Duke at Cote D'Azur. Intended as a vehicle to promote Ella, it became a rightly shared ticket when Duke Ellington and his band were signed as accompaniment --- Filmed in 1967 at the French Rivera venue, Duke and his boys are in fine form, as portrayed in this film begins with a brief monologue from Ellington himself and then proceeds to the Cote D'Azur stage for a light-hearted yet riveting performance --- Ella Fitzgerald joins the band and sings with soulful assurance that captures the hearts of all in attendance --- Bonus features on this disc include an introduction by longtime jazz music critic and analyst, Nat Hentoff, a vintage photo gallery, and another gallery of jazz-themed pen-and-ink art from David Stone Martin.

Under the production staff of:
Jacques Muyal - Producer
Geoff Kempin - Executive Producer
Terry Shand - Executive Producer
Mark Fossitt - Production Coordinator
Claire Higgins - Production Coordinator

the cast includes:
Duke Ellington - [Performer]
Ella Fitzgerald - [Performer]
Joan Miró - [Performer]
Joe Pass - [Performer]
Ray Brown - [Performer]
Louis Bellson - [Performer]

Scene Index
Disc #1 -- Norman Granz Presents: Duke Ellington at the Cote d'Azur With Ella Fitzgerald and Joan Miro
1. Presentation by Nat Hentoff [3:59]
2. The Opener [4:28]
3. Such Sweet Thunder [3:54]
4. Medley [9:57]
5. Kinda Dukish [4:35]
6. The Shepherd [7:00]
7. The Old Circus Train Turn-Around Blues [7:25]
8. La Plus Belle Africaine [10:18]
9. Satin Doll [2:55]
10. Something to Live For [4:10]
11. Jazz Samba (So Danço Samba) [5:57]
12. Things Ain't What They Used to Be [1:00]

Disc Two presents what would become the Duke's final jam session, filmed as he recorded numbers for his record, Duke's Big 4 --- Previously unreleased footage reveals Duke and his band, The Duke Ellington Quartet (including bassist Ray Brown, guitarist Joe Pass, and scat drummer Louis Bellson) --- This is a very intimate setting as one would say, you have a fly-on-the-wall view of the legendary jazz master laying down tracks with his musicians --- As a bonus feature, you'll find an interview with Duke's bassist, Ray Brown, in Ray Brown: 25 Years Later --- Although not on this gig, remember Ray and his pianist Gene Harris, who in my estimation was one of the greats behind the keyboard.

Disc #2 -- Norman Granz Presents: Duke - The Last Jam Session
1. Opening Session [2:36]
2. The Brotherhood [6:41]
3. Just Squeeze Me [12:38]
4. Carnegie Blues [16:52]
5. The Hawk Talks [5:29]
6. Prelude to a Kiss [23:14]
7. Cotton Tail [8:45]
8. Everything But You [5:21]
9. Love You Madly [8:42]
10. Fragmented Suite for Piano and Bass [5:10]

SPECIAL FEATURES:
DISC ONE (1)
1. Nat Hentoff Presents Duke & Ella Photo Gallery
2. Portraits by David Stone Martin

DISC TWO (2)
1. Interivew with Ray Brown: 25 Years Later

Hats off to Eagle Rock Entertaiment --- strongly recommend this DVD to music lovers and all others who need to hear some great Jazz music --- Norman Granz, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, please stand up and take a bow for this well deserved rare gem you've given us --- this is a keeper!

Total Time: 180 mins on DVD ~ Eagle Rock Ent 39069 ~ (3/18/2008) May 20, 2008

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