About a month ago, I noticed that Netflix was offering free trial memberships (they still are, in fact). I've thought about joining in the past, but never really gave it enough consideration. Partly because I didn't think it was worth the money, and partly because I didn't think they'd have anything that I'd want to see. Boy, was I wrong…
Turns out, Netfilx is great! I've got about 70 movies in my queue, and I've yet to spend any time *really* searching for things. Their turn-around time is great too. I typically receive my movie selections the day after they ship, and they receive my returns just as fast --in case you don't know, they let you check out three movies at a time. Once you return a movie, they send the next on in your queue.
Of course, the reason for this post is to tell you about their collection of jazz videos. A search for "jazz" returns about 60 or so videos (the same search returns 177 as of 11/19/05!). It looks like they have quite a few more than that, though, as a search for "Miles Davis" returns 4 videos not included in the "jazz" search. I imagine other name-based searches will produce more results.
SO FAR, I'VE SEEN
Jazz Casual: Basie, Gillespie, Coltrane, 1960
The Miles Davis Story, 2001
The Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration, 2003
Jazz on a Summer's Day, 1960
One Night With Blue Note, 1985
Special note: "One Night With Blue Note" has been my favorite video thus far. It features performances by Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Jackie McLean, Art Blakey, and others. Great sound and picture quality. Hubbard playing Moanin' with Art Blakey was incredible...
VIDEOS IN MY QUEUE
Ron Carter and Art Farmer: Live
Jazz Scene USA: Adderley & Edwards
Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor
Miles Davis: Cool Jazz Sound
Dizzy's Dream Band
A Tribute to Bill Evans
Tribute to John Coltrane
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
[ and many more... ]
Hey Rick! First off I'm browsing your site from my Blackberry. A nice distraction from shopping with the Mrs...
The Blue Note DVD is one of my all time favorites alnong with the Miles Davis Story. You will like the Cannonball and Edwards DVD too I think. Let me know how the Miles Davis Cool DVD is. Happy Holidays my friend!
I watched "Jazz Scene USA: Adderley & Edwards" last night. You were right, I did enjoy it. Along with the fantastic playing, I loved the cool vibe of the entire production (street footage, introductions, etc).
A quick NetFlix follow up... my wife and I have been using it for about 3 months now and it is fantastic. We used to buy a lot of DVDs but this is saving us a bundle of money. The fact that we don't have to take them back to the rental store or worry about late fees is another plus. Great suggestion my friend.
I bet that explains why I've been waiting a few weeks for the newly released "Freddie Hubbard: All Blues" DVD... I should learn to keep my big mouth shut ;-) Seriously, I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Some of my recent jazz favorites include:
Keith Jarrett: The Art Of Improvisation
John Zorn Masada: Live at Tonic 1999
Freddie Hubbard: Live At The Village Vanguard
Chick Corea: Live With Friends
Miles Davis - Miles Electric: A Different Kind Of Blue
Check them out!
-Rick
Post a new comment