[78-L] An AMAZING Jzz DVD by a guy you (probably) never heard of

[Steve Ramm]

The following review from my January column in "In The Groove" didn't make it but this is too good a DVD not to tell everyone about. The Webster one is interesting but the other is a "must havwe" in my opinion.
 
So here it is:
 

The most incredible jazz musician you’ve never heard of – Collectors Rich Nevins and Sherwin Dunner at the independent Shanachie record label have issued some fascinating DVDs in recent years – including the rare Flatt & Scruggs TV Show series. In November they released two jazz DVDs of performances recorded in Europe. As I pointed out in reviews of the Jazz Icons DVDs, European television stations, usually government run, captured and saved filmed performances. Three rare concerts starring tenor sax genius – and Ellington band staple - Ben Webster from the 1960s, captured by Danish TV, are featured on Ben Webster: Tenor Sax Legend, Live and Intimate. The DVD also includes a 48-minute Danish produced documentary (with performances) on Webster from 1971. The second DVD – Svend Asmussen: The Extraordinary Life and Music of a Jazz Legend – was the real surprise for me. You’ve probably never heard of Asmussen, and neither had I, but now I’m a huge fan. From the mid-1930s through the 1950s, this violin player was a major musical star in his native Denmark but, because he never traveled to the US, he is virtually unknown here. He was more than just a great musician; he was a total entertainer and added humor to performances with his Trio and Quintet. To get you orientated, the DVD contains a wonderful feature-length documentary with Asmussen reminiscing (in Danish, with easy to read subtitles) and full length clips of performances taken from films and TV. Then there are three hours of bonus musical performances in superb video transfers. In some of these Asmussen comes off as the Danish Ernie Kovacs or even Spike Jones. I searched for a sample to share with you on Youtube. Check out his take on “Minuet in G” at http://tinyurl.com/cqm6jy and see if you aren’t convinced. Then run out and buy this DVD! There is a companion album of his recordings but its only available as a download on iTunes. 
 
Steve Ramm 		 	   		  
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