This CD was recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark, and consists of a live concert in Jazzhus Montmartre in 1965 and a radio studio session (with violinist Svend Asmussen) in 1966. The repertoire on the CD (74 min./13 tunes) consists of some standards (George & Ira Gershwin, Kurt Weil, Duke Ellington) and five Stuff Smith originals. The two rhythm groups are comprised of top Danish jazz musicians, plus the American piano star, Kenny Drew. The relatively long playing-time of the tracks allows Stuff Smith, Svend Asmussen and Kenny Drew to do some extended soloing. Many jazz fans will agree that Stuff Smith is the best jazz violinist of all time, and this CD presents him at his very best. The overwhelming energy, creativity, drive and humor in his performance is further enhanced by an unmatched musical virtuosity.
Track 1-9 recorded March 18, 1965
Track 10-13 recorded January 30 or 31, 1966
Stuff Smith, Svend Asmussen – violin & vocal Kenny Drew, Jørgen Borch – piano Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Erik Mølbæk – bass Alex Riel, Bjarne Rostvold – drumsCHAR(13) + CHAR(10)CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)CHAR(13) + CHAR(10)
Skip It
The Girl From Ipanema
Tenderly
Take the A Train
Bugle Blues
I Can’t Get Started
Mack The Knife
Blues For Timme
Old Stinkin’ Blues
The C Jam Blues
Caravan
Time’s Blues
Oh, Lady Be Good