Ain't misbehavin' Waller

A soundie of Fats Waller and his Rhythm.
Soundies were a brand new form of entertainment conceived in early 1940, born in January 1941 and then suffered a lingering demise mid-way through 1947. They were three minute black and white films with an optical soundtrack designed to be shown on self-contained, coin-operated 16mm rear projection machines situated in bars, diners, nightclubs, roadhouses and other public places throughout the States and Canada
Soundies were very popular. Because of wartime production shortages the Panoram machines used for projction were no longer manufactured.
However the soundies captured on film mny superb musicans in their peak period.

The joint is jumpin' Waller 1941

Fats Waller and his Rhythm.
Soundies were a brand new form of entertainment conceived in early 1940, born in January 1941 and then suffered a lingering demise mid-way through 1947. They were three minute black and white films with an optical soundtrack designed to be shown on self-contained, coin-operated 16mm rear projection machines situated in bars, diners, nightclubs, roadhouses and other public places throughout the States and Canada
Soundies were very popular. Because of wartime production shortages the Panoram machines used for projction were no longer manufactured.
However the soundies captured on film mny superb musicans in their peak period.

Earl's Tune Garner Errol 1972

Erroll Garner proved that it was possible to be a sophisticated player without knowing how to read music, that a creative jazz musician can be very popular without watering down his music, and that it is possible to remain an enthusiastic player without changing one's style once it is formed. A brilliant virtuoso who sounded unlike anyone else, Erroll Garner on medium-tempo pieces often stated the beat with his left hand like a rhythm guitar while his right played chords slightly behind the beat, creating a memorable effect. His playful free-form introductions (which forced his sidemen to really listen), his ability to play stunning runs without once glancing at the keyboard, his grunting and the pure joy that he displayed while performing were also part of the Erroll Garner magic.
Garner, whose older brother Linton is also a fine pianist, appeared on the radio with the Kan-D-Kids at the age of ten. After working locally in Pittsburgh, he moved to New York in 1944 and worked with Slam Stewart's trio during 1944-45 before going out on his own. By 1946 Garner had his sound together and when he backed Charlie Parker on his famous "Cool Blues" session of 1947, the pianist was already an obvious giant. His unclassifiable style had an orchestral approach straight from the swing era but was open to the innovations of bop. From the early '50s Garner's accessible style became very popular and he never seemed to have an off day up until his forced retirement (due to illness) in early 1975. His composition "Misty" became a standard. Erroll Garner, who had the ability to sit at the piano without prior planning and record three albums in one day (all colorful first takes), made many records throughout his career
Earl's tune was recorded in 1972

In a Mist Guarnieri Johnny 1959

Johnny Guarnieri ( 1917- 1985) is performing one of Bix Beiderbecke's piano compositions.
One of the most talented pianists of the 1940s, Johnny Guarnieri had the ability to closely imitate Fats Waller, Count Basie, and even Art Tatum.
He played in bands with Goodman, Artie Shaw, Louis Armstrong and many of the other jazz greats

Honky Tonk Train blues Lewis Meade Lux 1959

Meade Anderson "Lux" Lewis (1905 - 1964) was a United States pianist and composer noted for his work in the Boogie Woogie style. His best known work, "Honky Tonk Train Blues" is considered one of the first rock and roll records, and has been recorded by many players, including Oscar Peterson and Keith Emerson.
Lewis was born in Chicago, Illinois in September of 1905 (September 3rd, 4th, and 13th are given as his birthdate in various sources). In his youth he was influenced by pianist Jimmy Yancey.
Although he first recorded in 1927, Lewis achieved little fame until he was brought to New York City by promoter John Hammond in 1938 when he appeared at well publicised concerts including at Carnegie Hall. The From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall launched a boogie-woogie craze, and he and two other performers from that concert, Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson became the leading boogie-woogie pianists of the day. They performed an extended engagement at Café Society and also toured and recorded as a trio.
Meade "Lux" Lewis died in an automobile accident in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 7, 1964.

The Pearls/Heebie Jeebies Hardin Lil 1959

Lil Hardin, an ultimate jazz lady. the way she plays, the way she sings. She was born in 1898, so in this 1962 sessions she was close to 65, but what a drive. Something I have been trying to tell every jazz painist, keep your feet off the pedals. Look how she is positioned far away from these pedals. The only way to swing like that.
Mae Barnes knows how to swing as well, and wonderful on the brushes combined with some spontanuous chat singing in balance with Lil.
One of my alltime favourite jazz clips.
Of course, to get Red Allen and Buster Bailey to back you up certainly helps.

Take Five Brubeck Dave Quartet 1961

This clip came from a collector in the Netherlands who taped it from a Dutch jazz TV show in 1961. Dave Brubeck's Quartet plays it's most famous tune called Take Five recorded in Holland. A different version thus.
The very knowledgeable TV host explained that Take Five was composed by alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Paul got the idea when he was in Turkey and heard the local musicians jam in 9/8 to a bar format. He discussed this concept with Dave Brubeck and the tune Take Five was created .
Paul and Dave at that time never realized this tune would sell in the millions. On the original recording the famous drumsolo appears to be somewhat longer than the one done here by Joe Morello.

Where or When Garner Erroll 1962

Born in 1921 he was a self-taught pianist who never learned to read music, Erroll Garner was nevertheless one of the most popular jazz musicians of the 1950s. His swinging piano and gift for melody kept him on the top of the charts, and his most memorable tune, "Misty" was a pop hit for many different artists between 1959 and 1975
Erroll, just turned 41, is seen and heard here in a performance in Amsterdam in 1962. Together with drummer Kelly Martin and bassist Eddy Cowly they bring you Where or When.
You'll notice how Erroll focusses a lot on his audience, obviously he enjoys himself and appears very inspired.

St Louis Blues Brubeck Dave 1961

Dave Brubeck born in 1920 is one of the most well-known jazz pianists of all time. The classic Dave Brubeck Quartet featuring Paul Desmond's liquid alto saxophone lasted for 17 years, during which time they produced the first ever million-selling jazz tune (Take Five), toured the world many times, and introduced enormous numbers of people to the jazz sound.
The two other members of the quartet were Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums.
On one of their tours they visited the Netherlands in 1961 where they recorded the St. Louis Blues

Lover Come Back Hanna Roland 1958

Roland Hanna is featured at a 1958 Art Ford jazz party. On bass is Mark Goldberg and the drummer is Morey Feld.
Roland Hanna (1932 2002) in Detroit, Michigan -- New Jersey) was an American Jazz pianist.
Hanna studied classical piano as a boy, but was strongly interested in jazz. This increased after his time in military service.
He studied at Eastman School of Music and Juilliard School. He worked with several big names, such as Benny Goodman and Charles Mingus, in the 1950s although only briefly in both cases. Then from 1967 to 1974 he was a regular member of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra. Afterwards he was part of a noted New York Sextet.

Thou Swell Wellstood Dick/Dick Hyman 1986

Two Bosendorfer grands!, Two of the best stride players in the world?
Where? At the first Bern International Jazz Festival in 1986.
The Swiss go for the best!
Dick Hyman and Dick Wellstood play Thou Swell.
And swell it is!

In a Mist McPartland Marian 1974

Pianist Marian McPartland plays a tune composed by Bix Beiderbecke. He recorded "In the Mist" in 1927.
Margaret Marian Turner was born in England on March 21, 1918 near Slough, Buckinghamshire. As a child, young Marian Turner approached the piano around the age of three. While gaining proficiency on her own, she often provided musical entertainment at family gatherings. Her parents, however, enrolled Marian in violin lessons. Marian's enrollment in a boarding school ended her doomed attempt at playing the violin, and she eventually ended up at the famous London Guildhall School of Music where she studied piano and composition.
Marian was introduced to jazz by a boyfriend who often brought jazz records to her house. For hours they would listen to the music of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and others. From that point on, Marian was hooked on jazz. In 1943, Marian began playing in USO camp shows in Belgium and France, where she met a Chicago cornetist named Jimmy McPartland, a Bix Beiderbeck protege. In 1952, Marian's trio began what was to become a long-running gig at New York's Hickory House, where many legendary musicians to whom Marian had once listened often sat in the audience listening to Marian.
In 1978, Marian began hosting her own radio program for National Public Radio and South Carolina Educational Radio: Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz. Marian's most recently released CD on the Concord Jazz label is Just Friends, featuring jazz greats-- Tommy Flanagan, Renee Rosnes, George Shearing, Geri Allen, Dave Brubeck, and Gene Harris--playing duets with Marian. Additionally, a CD titled Portraits was released on the NPR label in the summer of 1999. This CD, as suggested by the title, is a compendium of Marian's musical portraits of several guests on Piano Jazz.

All there is? Tatum Art 1943

This is the only video I have of pianist Art Tatum. Probably recorded around 1943 in New York.
Arthur Tatum Jr. (1909 -- 1956) was an American jazz pianist.
Art Tatum was known for his virtuosic piano playing and creative improvisation. Tatum was widely recognized among his colleagues as the most gifted jazz pianist alive. To many, he was one of the greatest pianists of any musical genre, and arguably one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Critic Scott Yanow declares that "Tatum's recordings still have the ability to scare modern pianists

When you're Smiling Donegan Dorothy 1987 

I just received this clip from a friend in Paris, France. This is a recording from a concert by pianist Dorothy Donegan in Montreux, Switzerland in 1987. Unfortunately I have to admit I'd never heard of Ms. Donegan. Totally stunned when I saw her perform.
She plays with incredible skill, energy and intensity, almost to be compared with Art Tatum's playing. It also sounds she was influenced by Earl Hines and she certainly belongs to the top club of jazz piano players.
I checked on the internet to find out a bit more about her and like to share with you this excellent article by Wilma Dobie.
http://www.jazzhouse.org/gone/lastpost2.php3?edit=920665948
The bassplayer is Major Holly and the drummer Oliver Jackson