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Jazz Icons: Count Basie Live in ‘62 A lot of words can be used to describe the performance of the Count Basie Orchestra on Live in ‘62, an hour-long concert recorded in Sweden, but one will suffice: swingin’. No big band, not even the great Duke Ellington’s, ever swung as relentlessly, or effortlessly, as Basie’s various ensembles, and this one is a prime example. Having split up his so-called “Old Testament” band in the early ’50s, Basie was at it again a few years later with this “New Testament” outfit, which featured great players like trumpeters Snooky Young and Thad Jones, trombonist Quentin Jackson, saxophonists Marshal Royal and Frank Wess, the eternal Freddie Green on guitar, and the amazing drummer Sonny Payne. The 11 tunes performed here (and reproduced with surprisingly crisp, clear audio and black & white visuals) include some Basie staples (like Green’s “Corner Pocket” and Basie’s own signature “One O’Clock Jump”), a few jazz classics (”I Got Rhythm,” “Old Man River,” “Stella by Starlight”), and three vocal numbers featuring Irene Reid. Every one of them is a delight, with superb arrangements highlighting the band’s ensemble playing, masterful control of dynamics, excellent soloing, more than a few touches of humor and, of course, that ineffable swing. Tough to pick a particular highlight, but Payne’s lengthy solo spot on “Old Man River” might be it–not only is he a sensational drummer, spinning out rhythms as if they were melodies and never once losing the tempo, but the way he tosses and juggles his sticks is marvelously entertaining. A thorough and informative accompanying booklet more than makes up for the lack of bonus features. –Sam Graham
Customer Review: Count Basie Live in 62
This is a good concert dvd, it has exciting arrangements from slow swing/blues to explosive tempos such as the Old Man River arrangement. As a drummer this is an incredible learning tool to watch and analyse the Great Sonny Payne drive the band with impecable time keeping and excentric showmanship which adds to the excitment. A must have for any drummer who loves Jazz
Customer Review: Classic performance, surprisingly good audio
The Jazz Icons series does a great service by preserving for us an important part of American musical heritage. I’ve been a Basie fan for a long time, and had the opportunity to see the band perform a couple of times with the Count at the helm, so I may be biased, but I think the Basie DVD is the best one of the series that I’ve seen so far. It features some of the Count’s legendary sidemen. To name just a few: Frank Wess and Frank Foster in the sax section, Thad Jones and Snooky Young on trumpet, Sonny Payne on drums, and of course, Freddie Green on guitar.
Sonny Payne is on top of his game and is a delight to watch throughout the performance. Eric Dixon displays his big, warm tenor sax sound on a gorgeous interpretation of “You Are Too Beautiful.” Other tunes feature impressive solo work from Wess, Foster, and Sonny Cohn on trumpet.
Any downside to this performance will be determined by personal taste. For example, the surprisingly up-tempo rendition of “Old Man River” is great, but Payne’s drum solo is long and may try the patience of some listeners. Also, vocalist Irene Reid belts out her tunes with power and conviction, apparently trying to emulate the sound (and even the look) of Ella Fitzgerald, but she will not please everyone. By her third selection, I was getting tired of hearing her repeatedly shout in the same high-impact register instead of getting inventive with the melody.
For a 1962 Swedish Television recording, this session is remarkably well preserved and restored. It’s in black & white, and the lighting is a bit off in some scenes, but the sound is great all the way. This is a collector’s item that will be enjoyed over and over.

Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival Milan Records is proud to release the DVD to Astor Piazzolla s renowned live performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The performance was recorded at the 1984 festival and was meticulously digitally restored and re-mastered in September 2007 under the supervision of Astor Piazzolla s friend and pupil Richard Galliano. This is the first live concert DVD ever filmed and released of Astor Piazzolla.