Review

Jazz Icons is doing for jazz what the Criterion Collection has done for classic and important films. -- Jazz Times Magazine

One of several new DVD releases from NAXOS ' Jazz Icons series is late pianist Oscar Peterson's famed '60s trio, captured live in Scandinavia spanning 1963-1965. Featuring Doug Ramsey's insightful liner notes to round out a twenty-four page booklet, the black and white footage reinforces the musicians' zealous interactions and tight-knit arrangements.
Peterson along with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen are featured at theaters and clubs in Sweden (1963), Denmark (1964) and Finland (1965). Otherwise, Ramsey provides a comprehensive essay regarding these films, that have resided in TV station storage since the initial European airings back in the '60s. He also cites the steps leading up to the fruition of this trio, including guitarist Herb Ellis' departure from Peterson's band in 1958 and followed by the pianist's decision not to hire another guitarist. Hence, the booklet contains an informatively written historical perspective of Peterson's career and much more.
The camera crews were diligent during these performances. Zoom and pan shots of the well-dressed musicians are in abundance throughout. As one would expect, Peterson is often smiling at his band-mates while quietly mimicking many of his phrasings with facial gestures -- JazzReview.com, Glenn Astarita, October 6, 2008

The Oscar Peterson Trio was the toast of the world when these gigs were performed in Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, respectively. Ray Brown/b and Ed Thigpen/p tear through ebullient versions of "Reunion Blues", "On Green Dolphin Street" and "Chicago" with Peterson as they set the standard for the piano trio. Trumpeter Roy Eldridge joins the trio in Sweden for a tightly muted "But Not For Me" that builds in intensity for four fierce choruses. Clark Terry brings a whole different mood to Finland, as he waxes elegance on "Misty" before bringing the house down with a hilariously classic "Mumbles" that deserves it's status as one of the high points of vocal jazz. Why do these guys make it seem so easy? -- Jazz Weekly.com, George W. Harris, September 2008

The sound quality is first rate, and the performances are extraordinary. -- Newsweek Magazine

This is one of the best entries in the third series of award-winning Jazz Icons DVDs, coming mostly from the vaults of various European TV studios - mostly black & white and often kinescopes, though better quality kinescopes than one is used to seeing from the U.S. The sound is all mono, but of excellent quality in most cases. Some of this footage of jazz greats, who never elicited such video coverage in the U.S., was not even broadcast in Europe but sat in the vaults for in some cases up to 50 years priot to its present resuscitation. -- Audiophile Audition, John Henry, September 2008

Product Description

Oscar is accompanied by the stellar duo of bassist Ray Brown and drummer Ed Thigpen for each concert performance. This is the classic Oscar Peterson Trio, considered by many to be the best Oscar Peterson Band ever. Oscar and the trio collaborate with trumpeters Clark Terry (Finland'65) and Roy Eldridge (Sweden'63) and re-create some of the excitement and fun of the Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) tours. Among the many highlights in this collection are the Oscar and vocalist-trumpeter Clark Terry collaboration on the ever-popular Mumbles ,and for the first time on commercial video, an Oscar Peterson Trio rendition of Tonight from his award-winning West Side Story album., ISBN13: B001CW2HJ2 ISBN10: B001CW2HJ2 Material Type: dvd