I just realized that Betty Carter nearly always laughs when she sings, the enjoyment of her creation and the connection with the players is so joyous.

The pianist is on point!

Any singer or musician watching this knows that it's time to hit the shed after this masterclass . . . .

Its amazing. She sings the harmony notes at first, and I thought, maybe its because she cant sing the fast melody, but then when she does its amazing. Its like seeing a tai chi master beat up a young karate kid using only slow moves.

Just love Betty Carter so much, her invention, her freedom that inspires such open playing in her band. Love love love it.

Slowing down the tempo and taking the time to savor each note individually magnifies the beauty of Giant Steps.

Oh, my! Her voice is, literally, a musical instrument. Awesome! Great! Loved it

Geri Allen and Betty Carter together..great band two men and two women, not common in jazz at all. I love how everyone is working very hard on this tune.

Oh and just listen to the backup group....... Geri Allen so wonderful, the great Dave Holland is so filled with creativity, and Jack DeJohnette is unbelievable...!!!

There is only one Betty Carter. I love to hear her freestyle--simply amazing. And the little giggle at 6:57 is too much. 6:28 thru 8:02 is unreal. Rest in Peace Mama Betty. I know GOD is glad to have you back. I hope you are scatting at HIS feet.

This is freedom at its finest. A soul exposed in full surrender. ❤️🙌🏾💎🙌🏾❤️

Now this is what I call LIVING inside the music. I love MZZZZZ CARTER!!!

One of the greatest Jazz singers America has ever produced. Absolutely, without question! I loved her singing. Saw many of her performances. One of the great pleasures of my life.

Geri Allen(RIP) passed away at 60 years old. Play that Piano my Sister

I had the extreme pleasure of seeing Ms. Betty Carter perform at the Essence Music Festival in one of the superlounges at the Superdome in New Orleans. I was beyond the moon.

The abstract art of jazz singing...Fantastic.

Giant Steps is a most sacred and personal prayer, a breathtakingly beautiful love poem, in Ms. Carter’s universe. Man, do I LOVE this.

THE BETTY ~ THE JIMI HENDRIX OF BAE JAZZ VOCALS ~ YEAH ~ THAT WOMAN STUFF AWESOMENESS

Brilliant piano solo by Geri Allen..brilliant

Geri Allen was one of the really wonderful pianists of her generation RIP

BAND LEADER NOT JUST A VOCALIST

Ms Be Bop Betty Carter(rip) the best, they all cook in this tune!!

Betty was so awesome, I saw her perform back in the 80's. She sounds so great and has so a wonderful playful spirit. Giant Steps with one of the Giants of Jazz, and what a band she has here, all of them giants!

This is what I meant when made note on someone's comment on a youtube of Betty doing Lonely House who felt she was "out of tune". That listener needs to fix her ears on this if she needs convincing that Betty needing ear-training---don't think so---she was the ear-trainer par excellance.

her laugh at 7:13 makes me smile. its nice to see musicians enjoy themselves on stage

She was jazz personified. A unique sound, not necessarily beautiful, because her voice and improvisational skills were better than beautiful. She is the number one forever.

All three gone now....Saw Betty Carter live at Miettas in Melbourne, with Drummer friend Alf Properjohn, she was great and with a younger band, she sang much straighter in her younger years, and over time evolved into this horn like singer with a double bass looseness, but such a great tone always, a naturally big volume, like Sarah....Met in 98 a great Trumpeter/arranger who had the privilege of arranging on albums for both Betty and Shirley Horn, both were very different but phrased like goddesses...The arranger went on to earn grammies for arranging for them...He is NYs Don Sickler...xx

Betty Carter is the difference between a good Jazz Diva and a "Great" Jazz Diva! Simply Beautiful!

It saddens me that I did not get the opportunity to see her beautiful face in my lifetime. Betty Carter is my vocal inspiration! This is on replay... Always! #ILoveBettyCarter

Y'all can be jealous, I had the pleasure of meeting her in person after a concert. A wonderful lady, who gave her all in a concert. She worked up a sweat! I'll always remember!

The late great Betty Carter. Goodness gracious ...

Betty's singing has helped me understand and appreciate this composition more than anything I've ever heard.

Composed by John Coltrane. Three key centers separated by major thirds. B, Eb, G.

Wonderful! Words don't describe the late-great Betty's grandeur. We just listen in awe and we feel 'everythang' that she gives, selflessly and almost, effortless ly!! I look forward to connecting with some musicians and collaborating on her song, Make Him Believe!!! So, musicians, melody makers (and 'what-not'...lol), let's rendition some Bette-Car!!! How fortunate we were/are to have Betty Carter!!!

I love Betty Carter. There is nothing better than an authentic Jazz musician. Singer... Bass... Piano... Drums... Cello... It's just PHENOMENAL!!!!!!

Antológical, I could never imagine I'd hear some' like this, and I've heard lots of it.

Geri Allen. And to the person above here who thinks the great Betty Carter "couldn't or wouldn't" sing in tune---ayyayay. I believe she never did anything tonally that was not completely intentional. She was completely and utterly in tune every moment here. You might want to look up the idea of 'outside' though.

6:30-8:02 was simply magnificent! Damn I loved this lady's music! Thank you Mrs. Carter....and Bill Cosby.

Wow! Awesome! My spirit is renewed seeing my idol jazz vocalist with fantastic Geri Allen on piano (whom I also know personally).

WOW !!! Has anyone ever written a LYRIC to this Amazing tune? Couldn't sleep last night , so I wrote a simple , loving lyric .... Now Honing & Arranging it !

That lady's rippin those keys to shreds! Killer stuff, Killer stuff.

SICK!!!!! omgggg I LOVE LOVE LOVE THS WOMAN she just jumped in with her scats without effort.....Just in awe! i can't wait ti get the comfortable

Every voice listening and responding. Perfect Jazz.

Incredibly beautiful. Gave me goosebumps....

May 16: Happy birthday Jazz singer-Scat Miss Betty Carter; Grammy Award: Best Jazz Vocal Performance-Female (1929-1998) Thank you and God bless. Thanks for the upload, emmadetten. RIP Miss Betty. Blessings

I just found her tonight and I'm infatuated with her!

everyone is enjoying what they do, that's why it is so great

she was tough as they come and a mighty giant, and that band killeeers

the key of Betty

I love it! In the beginning, It's like she's stretching in the morning (Imagine just waking up, feeling the muscles & the energy), then they let it rip in Betty's inimitable style. Reminds me of why I love jazz (virtuoso playing/singing with excellent improvisation). Plus it's not all about the lead- what she's doing wouldnt be half as good without such strong players. Love the look she's giving Pianist -(5:05) it's like, "yeah,uh huh, I approve"

❤❤❤❤❤❤ Betty was angel

She was the greatest of all! She was a real musiian, leader, look how she conduct any of her bands. And she was singing SOLOS and IMPROVISING. Not one of those who just sing the head and the extro, and leave the trio playing most of the time!...These ones should be payed less than their trios and have their names smaller on the poster! Thank you Betty for being such a great improviser.

GANGSTA. FOLKS LIKE THIS ARE THE FEATHER IN MY PATH, TELLING ME I'M GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

She brings the music out of this geometric tune.

Gerry Allen....and Betty and Dave Holly shit !!!! Damned it's hot !!!!

Wow!...What a lineup and at 64 yoa she still had heaps of musical passion running through her veins!!

I love Betty Carter. Rich vocals...classic

Mrs. Dropping Things lol. Betty bebop was the best!

Arguably, this John Coltrane composition is the most challenging (to play over) tune in the entire history of this music. Structurally, the tune is a true 3-tonic system, with all of the keys major thirds apart. (The bridge to Rodgers and Hart's "Have You Met Miss Jones" also does this, but only for eight bars; this tune does nothing but modulate to each of the three equidistant keys, EVERY FOUR BARS.) The pianist, Geri Allen, of whom I had never heard of before this (I'm embarrassed to admit) is great; Holland and DeJohnette are their usual impeccable selves; Carter is, as she always is, Supernatural.

I got to work with this group once as a stage hack, and many times with the trio. Greatness on and off the stage, just nice people.

Always divine...

I was crying watching this, so amazing plus my all time favorite song (any version including Coltrane's original-:)

True Greatness!

obsessed with the moment at 1:49...magic!

What a stunning performance.....!! Very few jazz singers can reach Betty Carters level......!!

unequaled to see her live, she was directing the band the whole time and a band of this caliber!! all leaders in their own right absolutely no one like her, ever or since

Two comments. Lost in the music and voice as instrument. Truly an artist that sings from the soul.

Not to dispute anyone in this thread but you have to include Sassy Sarah Vaughn in that group of great scat singers. Like Betty she was a singer/musician.

A total genius master of her great gift.

the others in the group are leaders in their own right, watching them w/ Betty is -- s' wonderful

Love you Geri .....muaaaahhhhhh

Bless you Betty and. Band....!! I love you and miss you .......

this is just too much about heaven..

This is soo good, so relaxing! I love the beginning and end bits.. Gosh they're all so talented.

this is incredible

Incredible!

That chord progression in the intro is spine tingling! Bravo!

I love her! She the best singer....

her voice is beautiful

"She Is Love".. and will always Love Her : Vocalist / Instrumentalist - Supreme ...

her smile :)

the best singer of ever

Her voice is beautiful as a singer and accord

goose bumps all day with this music

Very beautiful...truly special how she sings this tune....Don't think it's ben done in this manner before.

I am blessed to have seen her perform twice. Amazing!

Love the feeling behind everything ..amazing scatting

Isn't that double-bass accompaniment rich , wonderful.

real creativity is sweeeeeet

Marvelous jazz and Betty's performance!!!

so beautiful.

This Song made my day! Then again, Betty always did :0)

WOW! Betty Carter. What can I say, except thank you so much for posting this.

Love Mrs.Betty Carter!! I'm a Jazz Singer every since I started back training I go right to her she is Amazing!! Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen Mc Crea , Carmen Lundy,And Mrs Betty Carter!! I study with only the best!!❤❤❤❤

Bought John Coltrane album Giant Steps when I lived in manchester 1961, came across Betty Carter version on utube recently loved her version I'm not sure admit this but Betty Carter version brings tear to my eye.

Hambourg great concert

Betty Carter. Una grande entre las mas grandes. Gracias por publicar esta maravillosa versión !!!

Génial et superbe

sublime! no modern jazz vocalists comes close

Glorious original. Love her!