"Actor: George Shearing"

• Vera Lynn Sings | DVD | (27/05/2002) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-10.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  In an hour of spectacular entertainment recorded in 1977 Dame Vera Lynn reaffirmed her position as the first lady of British song. As the armed-forces 'sweetheart' she won the hearts of millions in the 1940s with 'We'll Meet Again' and 'There'll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs Of Dover'. Here she and legendary pianist George Shearing spin a shimmering web of warmth and nostalgia with favourites such as 'Paper Roses' 'Dancing With Tears In Your Eyes' the unforgettable 'Lullaby Of

• Jazz On A Summer's Day | DVD | (10/09/2001) from £20.00   |  Saving you £-4.01 (N/A%)   |  RRP £15.99

  The 1959 Newport Jazz Festival was a true musical watershed, as Jazz on a Summers Day reveals. This 75-minute film captures an event poised on the cusp of a new era, as the cool jazz of Jimmy Guiffre and the effortless scat of Anita ODay intermingle with the hard bop of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and the smouldering fusion overtones of the Chico Hamilton Quintet. Theres a crisp contribution from Chuck Berry, a typically feel-good set from Louis Armstrong--including a hilarious duo with Jack Teagarden--and, as evening shades into night, a heartfelt performance from Mahalia Jackson, closing with a melting rendition of "The Lords Prayer". Bert Stern has assembled all these and more into a satisfying sequence, complete with footage of an enthusiastic and informal audience. Shots of the yachting line-up from the Americas Cup round out a blissful and what now seems blissfully naïve occasion. On the DVD: Colour picture quality has worn well, whereas sound has deteriorated notably at times: Thelonius Monks quarter-tones could easily be a semitone flat! Even so, its worth putting up with this to enjoy a tour through music-making whose relaxed spontaneity would be impossible to emulate today. --Richard Whitehouse

• Jazz On A Summers Day | DVD | (21/05/2012) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £14.99

  The 1959 Newport Jazz Festival was a true musical watershed, as Jazz on a Summer's Day reveals. This 75-minute film captures an event poised on the cusp of a new era, as the cool jazz of Jimmy Guiffre and the effortless scat of Anita O'Day intermingle with the hard bop of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet and the smouldering fusion overtones of the Chico Hamilton Quintet. There's a crisp contribution from Chuck Berry, a typically feel-good set from Louis Armstrong--including a hilarious duo with Jack Teagarden--and, as evening shades into night, a heartfelt performance from Mahalia Jackson, closing with a melting rendition of "The Lord's Prayer". Bert Stern has assembled all these and more into a satisfying sequence, complete with footage of an enthusiastic and informal audience. Shots of the yachting line-up from the America's Cup round out a blissful and what now seems blissfully naïve occasion. On the DVD: Colour picture quality has worn well, whereas sound has deteriorated notably at times: Thelonius Monk's quarter-tones could easily be a semitone flat! Even so, it's worth putting up with this to enjoy a tour through music-making whose relaxed spontaneity would be impossible to emulate today. --Richard Whitehouse

• George Shearing - Lullaby Of Birdland | DVD | (24/01/2005) from £3.28   |  Saving you £22.97 (1,137.13%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Filmed live in California in 1991 with Neil Swanson on bass. Traccks Included: Isn't It Romantic Donna Lee Estate Memphis In June Lullaby Of Birdland

• Joe Williams - A Song Is Born | DVD | (21/02/2005) from £26.98   |  Saving you £-1.99 (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

  Winner of numerous Downbeat Critics' & Readers' Polls Joe Williams was at the peak of his musical powers in this unique collaboration with piano legend George Shearing. His vocal excellence and impeccable taste that garnered Mr. Williams a Grammy Award are displayed in his versions of musical jewels A Child is Born Muddy Water Tenderly and The Comeback. Superbly filmed at the Paul Masson Winery in California.

• George Shearing - Jazz Legends | DVD | (04/08/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

  George Shearing captured live in concert at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena 1981. Tracks include: Love For Sale / On A Clear Day / Have You Met Miss Jones / Have You Met Miss Jones (Reprise) / Up A Lazy River

• George Shearing - the Swing Era | DVD | (03/03/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £8.99

  The leader of one of the most popular combos in jazz during the Fifties and early Sixties the blind George Shearing (b.1919) was reputed for his mastery at the piano an instrument he played in a sophisticated style he termed 'locked hands'. Shearing was also known for the unique sound of his quintet which featured an unusual lineup with the vibraphone and guitar tripling the melody. Shearing's very special sound proved fruitful during his heyday when he was one of the best-selling jazzmen around. A notable composer the blind pianist wrote numbers which have become classics: 'Lullaby of Birdland' 'Conception' 'Consternation' ... Among Shearing's other contributions is his pioneering interest in small-group Afro-Cuban sounds during the Fifties a period when he employed Latin-oriented sidemen such as Mongo Santamaria Willie Bobo or Cal Tjader. A much-respected artist he has performed alongside jazz greats such as Oscar Pettiford Peggy Lee Wes Montgomery Mel Torme or Jim Hall.GEORGE SHEARINGMoveI'll Be AroundconceptionI'll Never Smile AgainSwedish PastryMEL TORMEBlue RoomApril ShowersYou're Driving Me CrazyYou Ought To Be In PicturesSLAM STEWART TRIO:Oh Me Oh My Oh JoshSLIM GAILLARD:O'Ronney's OvertureDynamith O'RooneySpanish Melody And SwingChile And Beans O'VouteeDunkin' BagelLagunaTHE BOB CATS:Muskrat RambleBig Noise From WinnetkaMarch of the BobcatsSavoy BluesWho's Sorry NowComplainin'Love's Got Me In A Lazy MoodPanama BluesRALPH FLANAGAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA:Stars and Stripes ForeverJoshuaGiannina MiaDixie JumpTONY PASTOR AND HIS ORCHESTRAYour Red WagonMargieCome On-A My HouseLife Is So PeculiarBrother BillOh Marie