Count Basie Movies
Judy Garland: Duets collects several television appearances by the singer in which she performs with fellow celebrities. The release includes collaborations with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, and Lena Horne. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judy Garland
- 2004
- Add Harlem Renaissance: The Music & Rhythms That Started a Cultural Revolution to QueueAdd Harlem Renaissance: The Music & Rhythms That Started a Cultural Revolution to top of Queue
From Kultur comes this documentary that looks at the Harlem Renaissance through the music that defined the era. Harlem Renaissance: The Music & Rhythms That Started a Cultural Revolution includes performances of such songs as Cab Calloway's "Minnie the Moocher," Fats Waller's "This Joint Is Jumpin'," Bill "Bojangles" Robinson's "Let's Scuffle," Lena Horne's "Friday Night," and many others. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
Art City, Vol. 2: Simplicity documents the studios and work habits of numerous modern artists including Robert Williams, Joan Snyder, and Richard Tuttle. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Tuttle, Agnes Martin, (more)
- 1998
The 1940s was a monumental decade for the United States. Amid World War II, economic recovery, and the start of the Cold War, American music provided a soundtrack to a generation. The Music Classics line from MPI Home Video attempts to offer the chance to relieve the era with a ten-volume series of restored film footage featuring performances by many of the 40's most revered artists. Among the musicians who appear in this seventh entry in the series are Monica Lewis, Count Basie, Johnny Downs, Carol Stevens, and Nat King Cole. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1993
- Add Masters of American Music: Bluesland - A Portrait of American Music to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: Bluesland - A Portrait of American Music to top of Queue
Bluesland: A Portrait of American Music presents a swinging look at the history and highlights of a rich musical heritage. Rare footage and concert films fill out this 90-minute documentary. As the soundtrack for the downtrodden, the blues has blossomed in folk circles. The characters that populate its landscape are both brilliant and tragic. Such artists making appearances in Bluesland: A Portrait of American Music are Bessie Smith, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Dinah Washington, Leadbelly, Big Bill Broonzy, and Sonny Boy Williamson. Writers Albert Murray and Robert Palmer discuss the evolution of the blues. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1992
One of the undisputed masters of Kansas City jazz, William "Count" Basie was among the greatest bandleaders of the swing years, whose group featured such greats as Illinois Jacquet, Quincy Jones, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing, Buddy Tate, and many more during Basie's nearly fifty years as a star. Masters of American Music: Count Basie -- Swingin' the Blues is a documentary which looks at Basie's long and fruitful career, featuring rare performance footage and interviews with a number of musicians who'd worked with the Count; selections include "One O'Clock Jump", "Air Mail Special", "Every Day I Have The Blues", "Jumpin' At The Woodside", and many more. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- Add The Ed Sullivan Show: A Classic Christmas to QueueAdd The Ed Sullivan Show: A Classic Christmas to top of Queue
This video is a Christmas collection of performances from various episodes of the Ed Sullivan Show. Ed Sullivan, the former radio announcer, had a popular variety show during television's early days. Known for his deadpan expression and wooden demeanor, Sullivan nonetheless was a gracious television host with a knack for choosing talent. Included in this production is Bing Crosby, singing "White Christmas," and Johnny Mathis, performing "Sleigh Ride." Jim Henson's reindeer muppets do a snow dance and Topo Gigio the Mouse tells the audience what he wants for Christmas. There are 12 selections to get the viewer in the holiday mood. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This vintage collection of great jazz moments include the Count Bassie Orchestra, Billie Holiday, Theolonius Monk Trio, Coleman Hawkins and many, many more! ~ All Movie Guide
- 1991
The 1940s was a monumental decade for the United States. Amid World War II, economic recovery, and the start of the Cold War, American music provided a soundtrack to a generation. The Music Classics line from MPI Home Video attempts to offer the chance to relieve the era with a ten-volume series of restored film footage featuring performances by many of the 40's most revered artists. Doris Day, Ozzie Nelson, Spike Jones, Count Basie, and Guy Lombardo are just a handful of the musicians who appear in this third entry in the series. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- Add Masters of American Music: The Story of Jazz to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: The Story of Jazz to top of Queue
This video documents the evolution of jazz. It began in 19th century New Orleans, where the slaves first introduced the rhythms of African music. Story of Jazz follows the developement of jazz music from the blending together of African rhythms, European and American folk, and classical styles. Included are performances by: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Willie "the Lion" Smith, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Count Bassie, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, and Sara Vaughan. Rare film clips, vintage footage, and photo's complete this indepth look at Jazz. ~ Beth Deki, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- Add Harlem Roots, Vol. 1: The Big Bands to QueueAdd Harlem Roots, Vol. 1: The Big Bands to top of Queue
Storyville Films presents this series of short music programs, originally produced between 1941 and 1947. Called "Soundies," these popular films were shown in a jukebox machine called a Panoram. In Harlem Roots, Vol. 1: The Big Bands, four of the most famous big band leaders perform, including Duke Ellington ("I Got it Bad, and That Ain't Good"), Cab Calloway ("Foo a Little Boogaloo"), Count Basie ("Take Me Back Baby"), and Lucky Millinder ("Hello, Bill"). ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
- Add Masters of American Music: Celebrating Bird - The Triumph of Charlie Parker to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: Celebrating Bird - The Triumph of Charlie Parker to top of Queue
One year before the Clint Eastwood-directed Bird, Gary Giddins likewise covered the life and work of jazz great Charlie "Bird" Parker in this absorbing documentary. Rare filmclips of Parker in action on the alto and tenor sax are intertwined with the live reminiscences of his contemporaries. Among those interviewed are Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. As a bonus, we see them in performance as well (and there are many, many bonuses in this film). As the title indicates, this is a celebration of Bird's life, though one cannot help but come away from the film grieving over Parker's premature death at age 34 in 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The Swing era conjures up images of sophisticated ladies, debonair gentlemen, and the big bands who entertained them with a certain élan. This program is the third volume in a series that captures that elegant era on film, with a look at the big bands. This episode features Gene Krupa, the Glenn Miller Band, the Ink Spots, and the Count Basie Orchestra. The viewer can enjoy 19 numbers, such as "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Red Bank Boogie," and "If I Didn't Care." Archival clips, photographs, and personal recollections of performers and fans recall the charm of this great time in American music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The Swing era conjures up images of sophisticated ladies, debonair gentlemen, and the big bands who entertained them with a certain élan. This program is the fourth volume in a series that captures that elegant era on film, with a look at the big bands. In this episode, the sounds of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Louis Prima, Buddy Rich, and Tex Beneke fill the airways. "Satin Doll," "Sophisticated Lady," and "That Old Black Magic" are among the many tunes presented in their entirety. Archival clips, photographs, and personal recollections of performers and fans recall the charm of this exuberant time in American music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
- Add Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling to QueueAdd Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling to top of Queue
Popular African-American comedian Jo Jo Dancer is severely burned while free-basing cocaine. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. While hovering between life and death, Dancer flashes back to his childhood, when he grew up in a brothel. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. Dancer decides to become a comic, but has a great many difficulties rising to stardom until he begins making scatological comments about race relations. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists that the movie is not autobiographical. As he rises to fame, Jo Jo has problems controlling his drug addiction and womanizing. Producer/director/writer Richard Pryor insists.....Well, you've caught on by now. If one were able to excise the excruciatingly boring "introspection" scene, Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling would stand as an excellent testimonial to Richard Pryor's cutting-edge comic brilliance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Pryor, Debbie Allen, (more)
- 1986
This musical performance video features Count Basie and his orchestra and also Bobby Brooks Quartet, The Delta Rhythm Boys, Jimmy Rushing, Louis Jordan and many others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1985
Original footage of the great swing bands and their leaders including Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton are included in the films that comprise this eleven tape set. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1984
The first segment of this routine drama by Russian director Tatyana Lukashevich chronicles the early life of a blind musician and child prodigy named Peter (Sergi Shestopalov as the young Peter). After Peter grows up, his behavior seems to regress. He abandons potential studies at the famous Kiev Conservatory in order to wander rather aimlessly around the USSR, taking up with a few blind beggars in the process. While on these travels, he performs like an itinerant troubadour of old and supposedly picks up more understanding of the ways of the world. Viewers may still find it difficult to believe that these meanderings are his preparation for his own concert. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
The legendary jazz musician Count Basie performs in his concert that originally aired as a special on CBS cable TV in 1981. He perform just under two-dozen songs including such standards as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Fascinating Rhythm," and "Send in the Clowns." Assisting Bassie at certain points during the show are fellow performers Tony Bennett, George Benson, and Sarah Vaughn. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Count Basie
- 1974
This long-unseen concert film depicts the meeting of two - jazz giants: Count Basie and Oscar Peterson - at the Prague Jazz Festival in November 1974. It features numerous selections performed by Basie's big band (with guest stars Curtis Fuller and Al Grey), Peterson (by himself and with accompaniment) and Danish bassist Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen, plus various combinations of the said artists. Selections include "Just Friends," "I Love You," "Mack the Knife," and many more. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oscar Peterson, Count Basie, (more)
Turn up the volume and take a lively trip back to the swing-jazz era as Ella Fitgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and a whole host of jazz legends share the stage of New York's Philharmonic Hall for a once-in-a-lifetime performance captured live on October 23, 1972 and hosted by popular Tonight Show bandleader Doc Severinsen. In addition to offering the first and only television appearance by the original Benny Goodman Quartet, this concert also featured an unforgettable performance of "Blueberry Hill" by Buddy Hackett, rousing ensemble versions of "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" and "Mack the Knife", and a memorable performance of "Oh! Lady Be Good" by Fitzgerald and Basie. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Jazz luminary Count Basie plays piano in a session with Sonny Payne on drums, Norman Keenan on bass, and Freddie Green at the guitar. Captured in black-and-white for Jazz Casual, music critic Ralph J. Gleason's renowned series for National Educational Television, this performance originally aired May 6, 1968. The program includes footage of Basie reminiscing with producer-host Gleason. The songs performed include "I Don't Know" (3:46); "Handful of Keys" (:25); "Untitled" (1:51); "Squeeze Me" (1:41); "Twenty Minutes After Three" (3:58); "I'm Gonna Love You as Long as I Live" (1:18); "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight" (1:02); and "National Educational Television Blues" (2:54). ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1967
- Add Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music - With the Count Basie Orchestra to QueueAdd Frank Sinatra: The Man and His Music - With the Count Basie Orchestra to top of Queue
A video of Frank Sinatra performing with the Count Basie Orchestra. Frank sings these songs, among others, "Pennies from Heaven," "Theme from New York, New York," and "The Girl from Impanema." ~ All Movie Guide
