Various
View Video, 2003, DVD
Instrument: Female Vocals
Issue: 9.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 5
Sound: 3
Score: 
O’s Notes: This 60 minute DVD captures rare video performances of jazz divas from Bessie Smith to Sarah Vaughan. The presentation is much more than a collection to the videos. It is narrated to give the viewer an excellent historical perspective. The journey starts with Bessie’s blues then moves to Ethyl Waters and Billie Holiday in New York. Biographical sketches are included with highlights and lowlights as well as evaluations of their style. The video also includes Ida Cox (blues), Sister Rosetta Tharp and Ruth Brown (gospel influenced blues), Helen Humes and Connie Boswell (blues). There’s some very nice footage of Dinah Washington, Lena Horne and Peggy Lee. These voices were full of character and loaded with style.
