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Swing Era: Duke Ellington/ Lionel Hampton -- Two Legendary Bandleaders

Members of the Great Generation who remember jitterbugging the night away will love this DVD. Everyone else will find it great for an afternoon of entertainment. Watching Duke Ellington’s acclaimed virtuosity is a treat for anyone who’s never seen him perform. Known as an incomparable composer and arranger, this is a compilation of some of his most famous pieces such as "Caravan" and "Solitude." Aside from his talents as a pianist and bandleader, he is an artist who understands pacing and visual interest. In each of his numbers, he treats his audience to the talents of his musicians in unusual groupings. "Mood Indigo" is particularly intriguing as he features a saxophonist and two trombonists in an understated segment. Then he has a clarinetist take over the theme -- and then a trumpeter. The result is mellow and restful. Make no mistake. Ellington can get down when the tune calls for it as he shows in "The Hawk Talks" and "Bli Blip." And he can be dramatic with classics like "Flamingo" and "I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good."

Lionel Hampton’s section bubbles over with fun and creativity. Every person in his band is an entertainer in his own right -- from the jolly little fellow who plays the piano while stamping his feet in time to the music to the trumpeter in a tam to the jazz flautist. They each add style and freshness to the performances. Hampton himself dazzles with his mastery of so many instruments -- although clearly he loves the vibraphone and makes it a tool of jazz. From "Beulah’s Boogie" to "Ding Dong Baby," Hampton’s band swings.

Although the original films weren’t perfect in quality and some flaws in both visual and sound are noticeable from time to time on the DVD, the images are crisp for the most part. The transition to digital media will protect the work of these artists from further degradation and allow new generations to appreciate who they were and what they did for music.

Written by: Joyce Faulkner

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