Stan Levey "The Original Original"

A video preview of a new jazz DVD documentary featuring jazz bop pioneer drummer Stan Levey. Stan Levey takes you on a musical journey from the birth of bebop, through the Big Band jazz era, to the "west coast, cool school" of modern jazz music.

Stan Levey, one of the premiere storytellers in Ken Burns' "Jazz" documentary, tells fascinating tales of his days with the famed Parker/Gillespie group on 52nd Street in New York and his being the driving force of the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars. The commentaries are told along with music, film clips and photographs of many jazz greats captured by world famous photographers William Claxton and Herman Leonard, and include many never before seen photographs from Stan's own personal collection.

Also included are special appearances from Stan's friends and colleagues: Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Charlie Watts, Quincy Jones, Hank Jones, Bill Holman, Lee Konitz, Howard Rumsey, Terry Gibbs, Bill Henderson, Lalo Schifrin, and many more, including some very special observations from Charlie "Bird" Parker himself. For more info about the DVD visit www.stanlevey.com. Produced by Stan Levey and Arthur Shelby Pritz. Directed by Arthur Shelby Pritz.

• Category

  Music

[mrstrings65]

I was driving to my cousins wedding many years ago listening to victor feldmans album with stan on the way there ,and wondering what happened to Stan...no sooner did I get out of the car when Stan walks by holding a rolloflex camera..it was surreal ...I said to him "aren't you Stan Levey?" and he said "yes" then I said "where are you playing?" and he said " I am into photography now" ....surreal to the max !!!

[jmreisser]

For me, Stan was one of the greatest and one of the very few original and innovator drummer of all time.Most people still dojn't realize that, which is a SHAME ! Buy this FANTASTIC DVD ! You'll learn more than any other book about it !

[atks2206]

such an underrated drummer

[southaustex1]

THE BEST jazz documentary I've ever seen...cannot recommend it enough.



[Lipshammusicrecords]

Probably the greatest left-handed, traditional-grip playing drummers of all time. Terrific chops. Swung like a curve ball (Baseball) or an inswinging yorker (Cricket). Knocked you over EVERY time.

[Alan Cobain]

in the documentary, stan tells about a concert he played at with krupa and his group, stan and his group, i believe there was shelley and his group and buddy and his quartet. for a finale they had a drum battle , they all had a turn and stan said buddy came on last and made them all look like children. what a concert that must have been.

[exjazzbass baz]

make no mistake this was a drum giant he had the lot and most of all he swung like the clappers.many thanks.

[mrsticks28]

Years ago I emceed a concert featuring Roy Haynes and his group along with three other wonderful drummers: Sonny Greer, Terry Lynn Carrington and Joe Morello, each with their own group. Roy was nothing but a gentleman and fun to hang with. As a matter of fact, all four were very cool people, as well as being the best players. I will say Sonny Greer was unique and interesting to talk to. I emceed concerts with many great jazz players: Blakey was the toughest to get close to.

[Guy Mann]

Well I watched this preview again... I have the DVD and it's absolutely a MUST !! My God, his feel was amazing ! What a legend...

Buddy Rich once announced him as the greatest drummer in the world at a club in Hollywood in the late 50's....! Stan could play the fastest 'swing' time of any drummer alive!!

[Guy Mann]

OMG what great footage! Stan Levey lives!