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Jazz on a Summer's Day

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There have been many great moments at the Newport Jazz Festival over the years.  Duke Ellington's fiesty Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue from 1956 is a classic moment, but you have to imagine Elaine Anderson dancing to Paul Gonsalves' stirring tenor sax solo, as it was only recorded on tape.

Bert Stern brought the festival to life in 1958 with his classic film.  From Jimmy Giuffre's playful opening, "Pickin' 'em up and layin' 'em down," to Mahalia Jackson's stunning finale there isn't a chord out of note in between, especially when Anita O'Day took the stage.  But, perhaps the greatest moment was when Louis Armstrong teamed up with Jack Teagarden for a wonderful rendition of "Ole Rockin' Chair."  Here's the concert in its entirety:



Share your favorite moments!

Comments

  1. MartiOctober 20, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    Thanks for reminding me about the Ellington at Newport recording. I have the cd but have not listened to it in a few years.

    ReplyDelete
  2. James FergusonOctober 20, 2012 at 11:02 AM

    Your welcome, Marti. Great CD!

    ReplyDelete

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