Video of the Week #97

Here is J. J. Johnson playing "Like Someone in Love," from a 1961 French television program. He is accompanied by Pierre Michelot on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums.

You may also enjoy:

Video of the Week #41 (Gerry Mulligan)

Video of the Week #50 (Dexter Gordon)

Video of the Week #54 (Sonny Rollins)

Video of the Week #96

Lloyd "Tiny" Grimes is one of the unsung heroes of the period when jazz and rhythm and blues were pretty much the same thing. His first major gig was in 1940 as guitar accompanist to the vocal group, The Cats and the Fiddle. In 1943 and 1944, he was a member of the Art Tatum Trio. For the next decade, he recorded with his own groups. One of those was an historic early bebop session from 1944 featuring Charlie Parker. In 1953, he played the guitar solo on The Crows hit record, "Gee."

In the early '50s, he billed himself as Tiny Grimes and his Rockin' Highlanders. Benny Golson, his tenor saxophonist for a short time, recalled being embarrassed at having to bar walk wearing kilts. His primary tenor man during this period was Red Prysock and his lead vocalist was Jalacy Hawkins, later known as Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

This is a soundie, "Never Too Old to Swing," from 1945, with Tiny taking the vocal. I'm not sure who the others are. My guess would be that it's John Hardee on tenor sax.

You may also enjoy:

The Soundies #13 (Louis Jordan)

Video of the Week #29 (Lonnie Johnson)

Video of the Week #32 (T-Bone Walker)

Video of the Week #95

I can find very little video of jazz piano virtuoso Art Tatum (1909-1956). In this brief 1954 television appearance, he plays "Yesterdays."

Tatum also showed up at a jam session in the 1947 film The Fabulous Dorseys. The song is his composition, "Art's Blues." The other participants are Tommy Dorsey, trombone; Jimmy Dorsey, clarinet; Ziggy Elman, trumpet; Charlie Barnet, tenor sax; George Van Eps, guitar; Stuart Foster, bass; and Ray Bauduc, drums.

You may also enjoy:

Video of the Week #60 (Bill Evans)

Video of the Week #93 (Erroll Garner)

Video of the Week #57 (A Song is Born)

Video of the Week #94

Pianist Otis Spann was a member of Muddy Waters' band from 1952 until shortly before his death of cancer at age 40 in 1970. His solo recordings are among the best examples of Chicago blues from this classic era. "Spann's Blues" was performed at the 1963 American Folk Blues Festival. He is accompanied by Matt Murphy, guitar; Willie Dixon, bass; and Bill Stepney, drums. The introduction is by Victoria Spivey.

You may also enjoy:

Video of the Week #47 (Muddy Waters)

Video of the Week #45 (Memphis Slim)

Video of the Week #70 (Roosevelt Sykes)