Movies
02/09/13 DVDs By Evan Haga
The Orchestrion Project
In case you slept through 2010, let’s recap: Pat Metheny’s Orchestrion was a one-band-man project for the ages, wherein the guitarist fronted a large ensemble’s worth of instruments played using an elaborate system of robotics. It was the sort of mad scientist’s...
02/06/13 DVDs By Jeff Tamarkin
Blue Flame: Portrait of a Jazz Legend
Although he outlasted most of his big band-era contemporaries, working steadily for more than 50 years and never resorting to nostalgia, Woody Herman is rarely considered iconic today. Perhaps that’s because—as some of the clarinetist, saxophonist and singer’s...
02/02/13 DVDs By Bill Meredith
Live in Marciac
Japanese pianist Hiromi left fans perplexed when she disbanded her trio with fellow Berklee alumni Tony Grey (bass) and Martin Valihora (drums) after several standout releases. Yet that trio, often augmented by guitarist David Fiuczynski, built its incredible...
06/28/12 By Philip Booth
The Wayman Tisdale Story
If not for the unhappy ending, The Wayman Tisdale Story (Mack Avenue), a film included in the CD/DVD package of the same name, would make for a terrific inspirational feature film: Oklahoma kid from meager means plays in the band at his preacher father’s...
11/27/11 DVDs By Jeff Tamarkin
DVD Review: 'Jazz Icons 5' Boxed Set
Coltrane, Blakey, Hubbard, Monk, Kirk and Griffin in sizzling historic performances
03/07/11 By Christopher Loudon
The Concert Collection
Christopher Loudon reviews 7-disc set of Frank Sinatra television concerts and and appearances
02/24/10 By Bill Meredith
Return to Forever Returns: Live at Montreux 2008
Reunion DVD is an overlong paean to fusion's heyday
02/24/10 By Bill Meredith
Yellowjackets New Morning: The Paris Concert
Sans studio sheen, Yellowjackets rip and roar live
October 2009 By Jeff Tamarkin
That’s What Happened: Live in Germany 1987
During a freewheeling half-hour interview that serves as a bonus feature on this DVD, Miles Davis is asked a number of questions regarding the controversy that has often surrounded his music. Somewhat dubious of the interviewer’s intent, Davis defensively...
October 2009 By Jeff Tamarkin
The Life of a Jazz Singer
While peers and critics have no qualms about equating her with Ella, Sarah and Billie, Anita O’Day’s passing in 2006 at age 87 was met with relatively little fanfare by the mainstream media, which is all the more reason to savor this engrossing documentary...
