Beginning in 1974, the newly relaunched Dukes of Dixieland took up residence at Dukes’ Place, a jazz club used as their own home base as well as featuring national acts. It was located on the top floor of the historic Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
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Bill Potts at Montgomery College, 1990
Composer-arranger-pianist Bill Potts played an important role as educator and mentor to many musicians in the DC area. Beginning in 1974 he taught at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland.
These four videos are from a concert on July 1, 1990 celebrating his retirement.
Continue ReadingMarshall Hawkins
Bassist Marshall Hawkins was born in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, DC and was an important jazz figure in Washington through the 1970s, playing with Shirley Horn, Roberta Flack, Miles Davis, and Richie Cole, among others. This documentary includes material on his Washington period but focuses on his work with students at Idyllwild Arts Academy in California.
Continue ReadingRichie Cole at the Village Vanguard, 1981
In memory of the saxophonist, who died May 1, 2020. This is an abbreviated half-hour video – there is a one hour version, but unfortunately, it’s not online now. Nevertheless, it gives a great sense of the exuberance of this band, featuring Bruce Forman (g), Bobby Enriquez (p), Marshall Hawkins (b), and Scott Morris (d).
Continue ReadingShirley Horn Sings and Plays…Here’s to Life, 1992
This is a tremendous video documentary on one of the most important of all Washington, DC jazz musicians, Shirley Horn. With relaxed pacing and uncluttered focus, it presents a well-rounded picture of a great artist and features Shirley Horn at her home in Washington, in a Los Angeles studio with orchestra, and in public performances from the Village Vanguard and Lincoln Center in New York, all from 1991.
Continue ReadingEarl Hines at Blues Alley, 1975
This excellent documentary film, Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines, was made by Charlie Nairn for the British ATV network (now-defunct). It features a good deal of footage of Earl Hines, both speaking and playing, filmed at Blues Alley in Washington, DC in the spring of 1975.
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