Remembered

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Ralph Sutton and Ruby Braff played many times together over a 52-year period between 1949 and 2001, so the release of two jazz party videos featuring them playing together -- marking their only commercial documentation on video in performance together -- will be of great interest to their fans. Veteran radio broadcaster Don Wolff attended two jazz parties where Sutton and Braff played together, one in 1988 and another in 2001, privately videotaping the music from a front-row seat, not really having in mind an eventual commercial release. The 1988 tape suffers from grainy texture and the limitations of using one camera, and it is obvious that Wolff is not a professional cameraman. But his choice of seating enabled him to get excellent sound, so it should be of little concern that he is unable to frame the entire band at once (with two of their favorite collaborators, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Gus Johnson). Three sets over a two-day period are included, and the chemistry between the bandmembers is apparent throughout, with Braff making a few acerbic comments between numbers and everyone swinging effortlessly. Sutton's monstrous stride chops are best heard in "Keepin' Out of Mischief Now," while "'Fine and Dandy" is played at a surprisingly deliberate tempo. Hinton's solos often work in a bit of humor. Fortunately, Don Wolff not only got a front-row center seat for the 2001 party, but the video is much sharper and his skills as a cameraman have greatly improved. By their last meeting at the 2001 Arbors Records March of Jazz Party, Braff's health was on the decline from emphysema, so he remains seated throughout the set. Though he no longer has quite as robust a sound as earlier in his career, he still makes his presence felt, even though he ends up having to abort a rendition of "'Gone with the Wind," being unable to negotiate it. Better are their duets of "Tea for Two" and "Thou Swell." For the last two numbers, the band is expanded to add cornetists Bryan Shaw and Randy Reinhart, trumpeter Randy Sandke, guitarist Jon Wheatley, bassist Nicki Parrott, and drummer Sherrie Maricle. The proceedings go well, with Braff encouraging the younger players. The passing of pianist Ralph Sutton in 2001 and cornetist Ruby Braff in 2003 marked the end of an era, though this DVD compilation helps to keep their memories alive, in addition to their numerous audio collaborations that have appeared on CD and LP. Net proceeds from the sale of the DVD benefit the Ralph Sutton Memorial Fund. ~ Ken Dryden