something from Billy's opening line, which i'm sure he wasn't conscious of, sums up what's beautiful about jazz: "...see what happens..." great performance!
i completely agree with you one hundred percent. without even looking at the video and just listening to it, there is no "competitive" feel in this session. the fluidity and the harmony between the two are just astounding.
I confess I'm amazed... I've always loved Lewis for his R'n'B sensibility, but I've never thought of him as being in a category with Taylor, the best jazz pianist I have ever heard live... and now I must. Thank you for the education.
Two people just having an amazing time. Thanks for posting these amazing videos. Everyone should check out the Billy Taylor and Monty Alexander one ... serious groove.
This is great, listen to it! It's very fine music, they're masters! Look at their faces, their moves! The music comes from their happy feeling hearts. The combination between the happy, chill faces and music makes me feel very good! :D Love it! If I had to give this a mark it would be a A+ in my opinion, LOVE IT!!! :D
Was ,waitin for those two Chinese Vases to go Flying off to the Ceiling.. These, Two Talents could bring Down Countries and Walls .If, they would Just Listen ...To The Truth and Not the Blind greed that feeds their Ego .. Lets Go ...Beautiful Players Together ..Keepin Jazz Live...
I think of these two as 2/3 of the "Glasses Triplets:" Herbie Hancock is the third. The ONLY way this essentially unimprovable performance could have been surpassed would be if Hancock (and his glasses) was at a third piano. (Addendum, two years later:) I honestly never knew that Ramsey "The In Crowd" Lewis had this kind of mainstream jazz expertise, until I heard this (he's holding his own with Billy Taylor, f'gawdsake!); and... I was watching both of them as much as the camera-angles would allow, and it was positively uncanny how each took over the left-hand bass role as the other soloed. Two Giants, playing on, and having fun with, the second most important set of chord changes in the Jazz Idiom, after the Blues. (RIP George Gershwin.) (Addendum, one year later:) At 4:26, something approaching a Vulcan mind-meld occurs, and from that point on they appear to be sharing the same brain... …and that brain is ROARIN'!
What talent! I would love to be able to at like this. Thanks for sharing. It was the perfect music for the 2/3 glass of Chardonnay I had left before calling it a night.
How wonderful of you to feature Ramsey Lewis. Today, 27th 2016 is the 81st anniversary of his birth. Please check out my youtube channel honoring Ramsey Lewis and other great African-American artists like Robert Johnson, “King of the Delta blues singers”; Ernest Hogan, “Father of ragtime”; James Brown, “Godfather of soul” and Patti LaBelle, "Godmother of Soul" - all born in the month of May.
@andymooney I think of these two as 2/3 of the "Glasses Triplets:" Herbie Hancock is the third. The ONLY way this unimprovable performance could have been surpassed would be if HH (and his glasses) were at a third piano.
Billy Taylor is happy just because he hadn´t the trouble to meet face to face on his TV show with the great OSCAR PETERSON, who could beat him with a single hand, or Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Michel Petrucciani, Rubalcaba, Michel Camilo, or Bill Evans. He invited only people that he could defy and being well.
ACTUALLY KNOW A DAYS YOU CAN SEE PPL GOING BACK TO THE BIG GLASSES THING. LOL SO AFTER 3 DECADES THE LARGE GLASSES CAME BACK INTO STYLE (SRRY CAP LOCK WAS ON)
@SoggyPizzaPockets1 This was the 70's. They didn't have stylish glasses. Also, a pity that you're noticing the glasses rather than listen to the music :/
man, someone get these guys some glasses that are at least -somewhat- stylish. Damn. I think if you're gonna shred like that, you should also look cool doing it. haha
No, no...Billy Taylor is good, but please, Don´t Compare it with the Great OSCAR PETERSON, or even with MAKOTO OZONE, which is a true Jazz Encyclodepedia, fellows! Look at Billy Taylor and Monty Alexander...
something from Billy's opening line, which i'm sure he wasn't conscious of, sums up what's beautiful about jazz:
"...see what happens..."
great performance!
Just pure music, just pure talent, just the best, just keep hitting those ivories. I'm in heaven!!
i completely agree with you one hundred percent. without even looking at the video and just listening to it, there is no "competitive" feel in this session. the fluidity and the harmony between the two are just astounding.
What impresses me (other than their amazing talent) is the sheer joy of making music that are obviously experiencing.
I love that it's "duo" and not a "cutting contest". I guy once told me, "Play to express, not to impress". GOOD ADVICE!
I confess I'm amazed... I've always loved Lewis for his R'n'B sensibility, but I've never thought of him as being in a category with Taylor, the best jazz pianist I have ever heard live... and now I must. Thank you for the education.
When I was a student at SIU-C I saw these two live. I was literally slackjawed for the entire show.
I love Billy Taylor!
GREAT
I can't get enough of this video
At 2:20 Billy is quoting Thelonious Monk's Rhythm-a-Ning, and thirteen seconds later, Billy moves to Charlie Parker's Cool Blues. Love it!
mister jazz and mister jazz just GREAT
*sigh* Now Im going to have to listen to this all day... ^^
FUN AND FABULOUS!!!
this, ladies & gentlemen, is what real talent is all about.
Billy Taylor was just on NPR, I had to sit in my driveway for an extra 10 minutes to finish listening...spectacular
Two people just having an amazing time. Thanks for posting these amazing videos. Everyone should check out the Billy Taylor and Monty Alexander one ... serious groove.
Damn! They're goooood....
Now that was fun! Two legends just having a good ole time on the peeeana.
We will miss you, Billy!
I love so much how they are obviously loving playing, pure musical joy :D
Impresionate billy taylor es de lo mejor
This was such a treat - two of the best for sure!
Amazing
Nice, the two best jazz pianists tossing it out the all at once. I didn't know they even knew each other. Far out. :-)
That is what jazz is all about.
Bravo!!! That was wonderful!
Very good!!!
Awesome! TY pianojazz66 for posting.
Yeah, That`s Jazz!
top top top jazz piano players!
They look like they are having so much fun, and they make the part where the tickle the keys look effortless! Lol @ them making guitar faces tho! ;)
This is just about my favorite video on youtube
This is grooving
¡¡ Que maravilla de swing !!
Woooooow! o.o.. JAZZ BABY!
this makes me like jazz
I like that.
it's a great day now ive watched this :D
sweet!!
thanks for your videos , always an inspiration , Jazz is so healing , I think because it expresses freedom & creativity .
Glad you enjoy. Yes, this music is very special.
some cool dudes
;-) Awesome - now thats jammin
@Modes9 i'm impressed by expression.
Awsome I wanna learn how to play that!
maravillosos
This is great, listen to it!
It's very fine music, they're masters!
Look at their faces, their moves!
The music comes from their happy feeling hearts.
The combination between the happy, chill faces and music makes me feel very good! :D
Love it! If I had to give this a mark it would be a A+ in my opinion, LOVE IT!!! :D
I'm transcribing this song
wow
Was ,waitin for those two Chinese Vases to go Flying off to the Ceiling.. These, Two Talents could bring Down Countries and Walls .If, they would Just Listen ...To The Truth and Not the Blind greed that feeds their Ego .. Lets Go ...Beautiful Players Together ..Keepin Jazz Live...
awesome yes i wish my dad culd play like dis??!!!
Ramsey's glasses are as big as Dr. Taylor's. Who said Billy had the biggest glasses in Jazz?
Ramsey Lewis is a prodigy
7 dislikes?; there 's no hope for humanity
Billy Taylor is hard at Jazz
Have you tried the vendors that ply their wares on Cromwell Street?
I think of these two as 2/3 of the "Glasses Triplets:" Herbie Hancock is the third.
The ONLY way this essentially unimprovable performance could have been surpassed would be if Hancock (and his glasses) was at a third piano.
(Addendum, two years later:)
I honestly never knew that Ramsey "The In Crowd" Lewis had this kind of mainstream jazz expertise, until I heard this (he's holding his own with Billy Taylor, f'gawdsake!); and...
I was watching both of them as much as the camera-angles would allow, and it was positively uncanny how each took over the left-hand bass role as the other soloed.
Two Giants, playing on, and having fun with, the second most important set of chord changes in the Jazz Idiom, after the Blues.
(RIP George Gershwin.)
(Addendum, one year later:)
At 4:26, something approaching a Vulcan mind-meld occurs, and from that point on they appear to be sharing the same brain...
…and that brain is ROARIN'!
What talent! I would love to be able to at like this. Thanks for sharing. It was the perfect music for the 2/3 glass of Chardonnay I had left before calling it a night.
Thank YOU.
It would appear, from your nice response, that the Chardonnay has served its purpose.
Auto correct is annoying at best....I would love to be able to play like this.....
@fortissimo61094 Yes!
How wonderful of you to feature Ramsey Lewis. Today, 27th 2016 is the 81st anniversary of his birth. Please check out my youtube channel honoring Ramsey Lewis and other great African-American artists like Robert Johnson, “King of the Delta blues singers”; Ernest Hogan, “Father of ragtime”; James Brown, “Godfather of soul” and Patti LaBelle, "Godmother of Soul" - all born in the month of May.
LAWD JESUS!!!!!!!
I don't know who downthumbed you, Gordonzy, but I thought your comment was clever. It is both!
So does The Lion. Watch his rendition of Carolina Shout. He mumbles a lot. A. Lot.
@andymooney
I think of these two as 2/3 of the "Glasses Triplets:" Herbie Hancock is the third. The ONLY way this unimprovable performance could have been surpassed would be if HH (and his glasses) were at a third piano.
do they do it "freestyle"?
Ridiculous! Wow!
Billy Taylor is happy just because he hadn´t the trouble to meet face to face on his TV show with the great OSCAR PETERSON, who could beat him with a single hand, or Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Michel Petrucciani, Rubalcaba, Michel Camilo, or Bill Evans. He invited only people that he could defy and being well.
ACTUALLY KNOW A DAYS YOU CAN SEE PPL GOING BACK TO THE BIG GLASSES THING. LOL SO AFTER 3 DECADES THE LARGE GLASSES CAME BACK INTO STYLE (SRRY CAP LOCK WAS ON)
But it always ends up impressing lol
@SoggyPizzaPockets1 This was the 70's. They didn't have stylish glasses. Also, a pity that you're noticing the glasses rather than listen to the music :/
twinssss?
@iarampatta1234 I have much of his stuff (including a different take of this song) on CD. You can chill out. It was a joke.
What human being would vote down on this ????
man, someone get these guys some glasses that are at least -somewhat- stylish. Damn.
I think if you're gonna shred like that, you should also look cool doing it. haha
Its soooooooo expensiv to lirn play like them((((((((((((((((((((((((
some pianos end up in the garbage, somes end up in Taylor/Lewis hands.... pfff life's unfair..
They sure do have rhythm lol..
cant improve without groove
No, no...Billy Taylor is good, but please, Don´t Compare it with the Great OSCAR PETERSON, or even with MAKOTO OZONE, which is a true Jazz Encyclodepedia, fellows!
Look at Billy Taylor and Monty Alexander...