Don Ellis Leads His Big Band

Notable Cast

The Nicholas Brothers Dance!

The Nicholas brothers invented and perfected a dance form that combined classical tap, jazz, acrobatics and amazing athleticism. Mikhail Baryshnikov declared the Nicholas Brothers to be, “the most amazing dancers I have ever seen in my life — ever … Those guys are perfect examples of pure genius.”

Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley on stage together.

Frank and Elvis Sing

Frank Sinatra sings, “Love Me Tender” and Elvis Presley sings, “Witchcraft,” in a duet! From the 1960 Classic TV Frank Sinatra special on ABC, The show featured Elvis’s first TV appearance after being released from the Army.

A clash of the Titans! What more can you say!

Basie Back to Back

A rare classic TV appearance of Count Basie with a small 6-piece band in 1955 on the Harlem Variety Review. Basie and his group perform two short pieces.

Don Ellis.
Internet Archive – https://archive.org/details/calauem_000020

Don Ellis was best known for writing, and winning an academy award for arranging, the theme to The French Connection. Before that, he represented the height of LA jazz sophistication in 1967.

This video presents Don Ellis at Ellis Island (nightclub) on the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, California in 1967. The Don Ellis Band plays “In a Turkish Bath.” Ray Neapolitan is on sitar.

The opening sequence beautifully shows the musical excitement and innovation that was present in L.A. at that time.