In 1971, producer George Wein put together an all-star bebop sextet that toured Europe and recorded for Atlantic.
Comprised of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, trombonist Kai Winding, alto and tenor-saxophonist Sonny Stitt, pianist Thelonious Monk, bassist Al McKibbon, and drummer Art Blakey, the accurately titled Giants Of Jazz caught all of these great veterans at the right time, when they were between bands and still in prime form.
It was a particular coup getting Monk (who was becoming less active) and teaming him with Gillespie (who he had not played with in years) and Stitt.
This priceless film, which documents a set from the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen from November 9, 1971, features the group performing “‘Round Midnight,” “Tour De Force,” “Lover Man” (a feature for Kai Winding), “Tin Tin Deo,” “Everything Happens To Me” (a wonderful showcase for Stitt on alto), and “A Night In Tunisia.”
-Scott Yanow
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