Count Basie & His Orch. 1938 Randall's Island NYC

Lester Young is featured here. If you look closely you might see violinist Stuff Smith in the audience clapping along and guitarist Teddy Bunn on the side lines diggin' the band.

• Category

  Music

[jazmaan]

Makes me wish I lived in a time when white and black people shared such joy together in rhythm.

[jeangophile]

Unfortunately, I think this was an isolated affair back in the day. I think we have a better chance of coming together now:)

[hmengland41]

Too bad the music doesn't come from the film. And how well dressed everyone is -- and ENJOYING themselves and the music. No riots, nothing to prove, just having fun, black and white alike.

[Monique Avakian]

All we have to do is just start playing music together! Why is everyone so downhearted and disengaged? It's up to us to make it happen no matter WHAT our musical level! Let's just do it!

[hipcatwho]

Lester Young is the sax player with the trend setting dark glass'es on, go pres go.

[gargan1977tua]

Jo Jones was such an incredible drummer!! So smooth and classy, too.

[TashasLittleChannel]

Amazing :)

[John Bird]

Okay, I don't think I could recognize Stuff Smith. Can you tell me at what points he and Teddy Bunn show up in the clip. The band is really cookin' on this piece, and so's the audience.

[Bill Freytag]

Big news.............apparently Bill Savory, a recording engineer of the 1930s and 1940s DID record all or part of this concert! One of these days we'll hear what we've only seen for sooooooo many decades. See the Jazz Museum of Harlem's web site, and the NY Times for additional info.

[songanddanceman100]

Audio recordings made at the event have just surfaced!

Google Randall's Island Bill Savory New York Times

[songanddanceman100]

And it was also Labor Day weekend.

[jemery367]

There's something leftist about people enjoying themselves??