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The Subject is Jazz: 1958 TV Show Video

Published in January 1st, 2009

Funny how things have changed in 50 years….

Below is an episode of Billy Taylor’s’ 1958 TV show, “The Subject Is Jazz,” featuring Bill Evans, Tony Scott, Art Farmer, Jimmy Cleveland, Doc Severinsen, Ed Thigpen, Mundell Lowe, Eddie Safranski and George Russell.

Can you imagine a TV show on today called “The Subject is Jazz”..?? That would go over like a lead balloon with TV executives today. It is hard to believe thought this has been 50 years already.

Interesting to note how young Doc Severinson looks and he plays fantastic. When he was fronting the band on the Tonight Show for so many years, I’ll bet very few people realized he could play bebop like this.

27 users responded in " The Subject is Jazz: 1958 TV Show Video "

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kbsmusic101 said, in January 2nd, 2009 at 11:47 pm

anyone else think the alto player is non other than the amazing Gene Quill?

riteguard22 said, in January 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 am

this is incredible!… but also irritating because i want to buy some jazz records that sound like this and have no idea where to start….:(

zeropitz said, in January 5th, 2009 at 7:51 am

greet song dude

Streamline09 said, in January 7th, 2009 at 2:48 am

And much respect to George Russell for his important contributions to music.

Streamline09 said, in January 10th, 2009 at 2:01 am

Wow. Awesome music and discussion. Where is this effort of willingness to expose the general public to experimentation and Jazz on TV today? Thank you Dr. Billy Taylor for all you’ve continued to do to bring to us some of the best music and musicians. Thank you Jazzvideoguy, for this clip.

itsjonlikeomg said, in January 11th, 2009 at 12:16 am

anyone know the name of the opening song?

bluenote357 said, in January 11th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

Miracles were everywhere. Thanks for posting this.

bluenote357 said, in January 13th, 2009 at 7:11 am

I agree with what you say. George Russell and company made art music, tough to make a living that way, but it will live on. Jazz is still out there, but you have to search amidst a sea of talented people without originality. To quote Steve Lacy, “When the giants died, the midgets took over”.

doogieb said, in January 15th, 2009 at 11:34 pm

I wonder if I can still get the discography is I write to the address on the screen…

Matt said, in January 16th, 2009 at 1:38 am

streamline…Wynton does alot of Jazz education on tv…also in the 50’s and 60’s jazz started to take a back seat to fusion and then rock and roll and the rest is history.

jacintalinta said, in January 16th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

muito bom
muito bom mesmo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aimichiyo said, in January 21st, 2009 at 6:46 am

‘THE FUTURE OF JAZZ”? This is as good, if not better than where jazz has gone since this video was recorded back in the days when jazz was a more viable entity in America. Now we have Kenny “G” and Wynton Marsalis…oh boy..!!
We’ve lost or taste for greatness…

hiddentech said, in January 24th, 2009 at 3:14 am

Tank you very much I m only 30 yo but i love this stuff

dreadtodred said, in January 26th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

is that jimmy cleveland on the bone?

shareteddy said, in January 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

It seems that everyone at one time needed to disprove that it was not a fully functionl and educational music that has its own langauge and can be taught and learned to many and still appeals to many not just the highly educated elite it is warm and fills the soul Jazz it the original music of America and will be here forever.

QuentinNorth said, in January 31st, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Simply brilliant! thank you so much for posting..I ve been tryin to understand the LCC for a while now…Russell’s brief explanation doesn’t really help…(but then again so doesnt the book itself..)but the music is beautiful and Bill Evan’s performance is stunning..

FLCL2010 said, in February 3rd, 2009 at 10:24 am

lol is that bill evans he was buff before he started all those drugs

wrettler said, in February 5th, 2009 at 1:13 am

I think the same

naranjamekaniko said, in February 5th, 2009 at 3:25 am

magnificent !

eightstring said, in February 6th, 2009 at 11:45 pm

Wow ! This is priceless. Many thanks for posting this film

mustardsucks said, in February 8th, 2009 at 2:36 am

no joke. I love jazz music. but I still hate mustard.

b30307 said, in February 10th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

Ballads maybe? There are so many Jazz artists who play ballads well. My favorite was pianist Bill Evans,(1929-1980). He played and co-write Miles “Blue In Green” mentioned by geostefos.
Happy hunting.

agentfunk69 said, in February 13th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

Might I suggest “Flamenco Sketches” by Miles gavis w/ John Coltrane, annonball Adderly and Gil Evans. One of the most beautiful tunes ever recorded

ShtotaKoya said, in February 14th, 2009 at 6:38 am

i understood from him that he is looking to a more traditional sound, something like billy holiday ballads. and for a slow miles i would recommend ‘my funny valentine’ tough it does require a trained ear and much patiance.

geostefos said, in February 14th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

You could try to listen to Miles Davis “Blue in Green” will amaze you!!!

cheyamil said, in February 15th, 2009 at 4:45 pm

i would like to get some slow sad jazz but i dont know the right name for the type of jazz i am looking for, so JazzVideoGuy if you please tell me.

FRANK COLLETT said, in April 13th, 2009 at 6:42 pm

I WONDER IF ANY OF YOU OUT THERE KNOW WHAT COLUMBIA RECORDS SPENT TO PAY FOR THE ALBUM ”KIND OF BLUE”…$3000.00!!! AND THE SIDEMEN GOT ABOUT $65.00 EACH. AND SO FAR TO THIS DATE THE COMPANY MUST MADE SOMETHING LIKE IN THE MILLIONS OFF THAT ONE ALBUM…HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES??? KEEP PRACTICING! FRANK COLLETT.

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