Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
Eagle Vision has released Improvisation, a Norman Granz film that includes rare footage of saxophonists Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins, as well as other jazz legends.
The 2-DVD package contains more than four hours of performances, interviews and commentary, rounded out by Granz’s Oscar-nominated short, Jammin’ The Blues.
Following the success of Jammin’, Granz put together footage in 1950 for a followup film, including a rare jam session with Bird, Hawkins, drummer Buddy Rich, pianist Hank Jones and bassist Ray Brown. The work was never released, but Granz recently combined the material with performances he recorded throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s for this DVD.
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Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.
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