I saw this live and still remember it even tho I’m now 84. So happy to have found this video!

You look at the line-up board and you realize this video is a national treasure.

After the show was over,Monk complained to his manager that Count Basie kept looking at him.Monk then said,"Next time I see him,I'm gonna look at him"...:

The thing that strikes me watching this is that those guys look like they're having the time of their lives in there. What a joy it must be to play the greatest music in the world with some of the greatest musicians in the world.

This was real talent. No autotune in sight. Just real talent and skill

Nobody thought Lester Young would step forward to deliver his solo at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2143">35:43</a>, because physically, he was in bad shape. But he DID- and Billie realized this was a final gesture to her, and their relationship. As jazz critic Nat Hentoff later recalled, watching this in the control room, "We were all crying."

This wonderfully produced live TV was American TV's finest hour. The one of the many lovely moments I'll never forget are Billie looking a Pres; second is Basie seated in the curve of the piano digging Monk. And of course, the clueless narrator reading from a script I strongly suspect he didn't "get."

I agree completely. Webster, Hawkins, and Mulligan play superlative solos, but what Lester plays is music of the gods. It sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it. What a pleasure to hear music by adults for adults.

I have seen the Billie Holiday performance many times but tonight I finally got to watch the whole show. It was great. They sure don’t make TV like this anymore.

Could you imagine feeling the creative energy in that room

Please never take this down. It's the only one with Monk. Without him it ain't right.

Jo Jones always looks so happy playing his drums. Love it!

All I can say is, "Thank goodness for KZfaq!!" I would never have heard these guys together if KZfaq wasn't around for some brilliant Jazz lover to post them. And, why I never saw CBS' show back in the 50s I'll never know. Thank you, thank you, thank you....

Gerry Mulligan - baritone sax. Just a twenty year old baby playing great with all the legends!

This jazz was done in Dec. 1957. I got the album for my birthday in Feb. 1958. Guess what? I have it here, am looking at it, and Gerry Mulligan's name and T. Monk's name do not even appear on the album. I never noticed that before. One would think that all the artists would be featured, but, not so. Today is Sept. 26, 2012. The record is still in great shape.

This is a TV gem !!! In those days, jazz shows were full part of our television culture. Unfortunately, they progressively and completely vanished, at least on the European television channels. In the 60s, my Dad and I (was in my tens) never missed one of them !!! Memorable and precious shared moments !!!

My fave line in this tune is Love is just like a faucet, it turns off and on. Lady sure knew how to sing.

As someone else said, a national treasure. Coleman Hawkins is incredible. And is there anyone cooler than Count Basie?

Love how Count Basie looks at Monk with such admiration and respect

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2143">35:43</a> "During the performance of "Fine and Mellow", Webster played the first solo. "Then", Hentoff remembered, "Lester got up, and he played the purest blues I have ever heard, and [he and Holiday] were looking at each other, their eyes were sort of interlocked, and she was sort of nodding and half-smiling. It was as if they were both remembering what had been-whatever that was. And in the control room we were all crying. When the show was over, they went their separate ways." Ward and Burns.

Jo Jones always had that smile when he was playing behind great musicians.

This is one of those gems of the internet, deeply buried under deep layers of mud.

Jo Jones (October 7, 1911 - September 3, 1985) was an American jazz drummer.[1] Known as Papa Jo Jones in his later years, he was sometimes confused with another influential jazz drummer, Philly Joe Jones. The two died only a few days apart.

Oh Lady Day even though both you and Lester would be gone within the next 2 years you still had that phrasing and sang with such emotion - love the smiles and the head nodding througout

ohh how i love the sound of Jazz.!! Jazz is who i am , the music i was made to play, not pop and rap like all the other 15 year olds at my school, no baby i was made for the Jazz and the Blue...the SOUL!

i'm sure you'd comprehend why Prez is my favorite, and to me, simply the greatest

What a pity that so many of these wonderful players probably never thought that their music woulf be so greatly appreciated so long after they departed the scene. That blues singer (male)_ wan a real ear opener to me. Absolutely loved it. Please enjoy and recommend.

I would have really liked to have sat with my dad and watch it with him. He liked jazz but the part with Billie Holiday is outstanding.

Priceless jazz history !!!!!!

Oh My God. This has to be the best video on youtube!

Broadcast "live" December 7th 1957 - must have been the best Sunday broadcast that whole year anywhere. I have an LP of the rehearsal two or three days prior to the broadcast - only Theolonious Monk was missing from the rehearsal - interestingly that document was made available on a European "budget" label in the sixties.

Giants of music!

All great artists

Can't thank you enough for the upload. These guys are immortal.

They are having so much fun

THE AMERICAN ART FORM SET THE GOLD STANDARD ON THIS DAY....JO JONES IS THE BOMB1

Thank you for your reply. I have been a big fan of Coleman Hawkins for many years, but was not aware of this video recording. It is amazing! So many legends playing together, seeming to have a very good time enjoing each other.

Best thing ever shown on television.

Billie Holiday-simply the best! See <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2167">36:07</a> - watch her expression. She knows something we'll never know!!

This is really a treasure. It must be shared to current and future generations till the end of times. Also, someone has the entire list of musicians participating in this film? I can't really understand the host.

A remarkable document ...... not only the music ..... but the style of the TV presentation ..... another world, all of 55 years ago ....... thank you for posting

So many great names here. Unbelievable line-up of legends!

what a gathering of jazz greats in a studio playing , thank you for posting this.

Wow! What a treasure!!

Thanks for uploading this classic piece of jazz. I'm particularly grateful for the Billie Holiday piece 'Billies Blues' with the 'spectre like' appearance of Lester Young for eight bars... when one remembers that both Billie and Lester,once 'romantically' linked, at this point, were only months away from leaving the planet! Beautiful coincidence?

The recording was in stereo, and it was a treat to hear Billie Holiday in Stereo for she made very few recordings with the 2 channels. Yes, awesome stuff.

the joy on all those players faces tells the story of musicianship

billie holiay is beautiful

Sheer magic. Musicians who had a lifetime of honing their skills and now performing in the sure knowledge that their talents will shine and make them fly. There will never be any group of jazz musicians like these every again. Thank you for posting the full show.

Thanks for this the Greatest Jazz show ever on TV! I don't mean maybe.

Cuesta creer cierto que esta constelaciòn de genios del jazz pudieran reunirse en una sesiòn de grabaciòn y dejarnos este testimonio tan elocuente de sus respectivas capacidades musicales. Todo un regalo del cielo !!!!! Gracias por permitirnos gozar de tamaña grandiosidad de la mùsica del jazz !!!!!!!!!!

Without doubt, Basie was the greatest ever Big Band pianst.

This is solid gold. TV Land was simpler and better in the 50's, no doubt about it. Can you imagine a show like this on network TV today? There simply isn't an audience for it now, because our culture has become so dumbed down during the last half century. The presentation of jazz has disappeared even from PBS these days. Too bad for us.

The battery guy makes it look like it`s a cinch ! Marvellous!

Hi NIttacci, I think the trombonist is Vic Dickenson. He also plays a 12-bar blues solo with Billie Holiday just before Gerry Mulligan.

Roy always has to turn everything into a cutting contest......BRILLIANT!!!

What a treasure we have here! I missed this live TV show because I was living in the barracks after joining the Air Force. Gerry Mulligan, one of the kings of cool jazz is here playing the blues...!!! Philly Joe Jones, I had the pleasure of watching him in person at the NCO Club, Clark Air Base during the Vietnam War. He was part of the trio backing one of the greatest singers, non other than Billy Eckstein!!! What a wonderful evening that was!

pffff this music is so , gangster,relaxing, smooth, everythifsgkn

I am glad to see Lady in action without the focus on her singing. She was a musician, too and they recognized her contribution. Lester Young was talking to Lady through his soul and horn.

All the "sacred monsters" of the time. Dazzling.

Originally telecast live as part of "THE SEVEN LIVELY ARTS" series on Sunday afternoon, December 8, 1957, at 5pm(et).

OMG!!! To get to watch Monk play with Basie watching - priceless!

it is hard to imagine that musicians can do this!!! Yeahhhh Y'all, here in Port Orange, please listen to this stuff, and get into your soul! Thanks

Wow!!! My dad would have loved this!!! May He Rest in Peace!!! He was a very Big fan of Jazz music and I love it also!! I can remember coming home from school and my dad would be fixing on things around the house and He would play Jazz all day 😂❤ very good memories!! 🎉

Thank you so much uploader!

The days when music was a career and not five minutes on a talent show

Che perla di filmato.Questo è il jazz che adoro.Visto e ascoltato da una quantità di giganti messi assieme,fa tremare le vene ai polsi.Tutti meravigliosi e tutti degni di citazione,ma una parola in più voglio spenderla per Hawk,il mio tenore preferito.E' straordinaria la naturalezza con cui soffia nel suo sax(che ha un'ancia tra le più dure,se non la più dura) dopo ben 34 anni di carriera.Un monumento.Non ringrazierò mai abbastanza chi ha caricato questo video.Cordiali saluti.

What a masterpiece!!. Grettings from Spain

Holy mother of god...<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2397">39:57</a> Why can't this come on television nowadays(besides the obvious ofcourse)..just makes me want to have a jam session with all my friends.

This is great! Thanks to whoever posted this!

I remember watching this as a 6 year old. Was in awe of Billie.

I love this music and the bass playing. Divine!

Colman Hawkings one of my Tenner hero's

This was heaven and still is so

Coleman and Young back to back. Twin pillars of the saxophone.

que sentimiento al interpretar!

Love Jo Jones' smile

Historic!!!

This day ( 08. XII ) should be celebrated.

Thanks for sharing! GREAT!

Timeless awesome stuff!

It's interesting to see how cymbal sizes have gotten larger over the years. Jo Jones looks like he's playing on 12" hi hats.

Wunderbare Sammlung,Erst Klassik,vielen Dank!!!

Tops !!!! Thank-you*

A Christmas gift! Thanks!

I guess the Prez and the lady are out. working out the various riffs and raffs this and that. Well They are the star's of the show.

Tearjerker is an understatement.. before there was none and after they will never be again.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1705">28:25</a> Mr 5 by 5 ❤

Olá, leitores! Conheci este gênero (jazz) em 2009. Deveras, foi uma ascenção na minha vida de cultura musical. Passei, depois disso, a conhecer um pouco mais, da beleza extraordinária da música americana. Devo dizer com emoção, alegria e assertividade: Gratidão!!! Esse povo é simplesmente demais. Grandes, valorosos músicos, que, trazem, aos nossos ouvidos, sensibilidade... solene diálogo sonoro, que, nos faz refletir, com serenidade, e, principalmente, sentir a emoção, da grandeza da boa música! Imortal e louvado seja o jazz (mais uma criatividade sublime do ser humano)!...

This is incredible, thank you so much!

...found this because of a post on Instagram. It said, "Repeat for life" Agreed.

If this were shown today on Netflix, CBS,CNN, or anywhere else,guess what....? It would be a sensation!Why? because with all the over-produced,overwhelmingly over- teched and frankly uninspiring musical choices presented in today's media,the sheer joy and spirit of this brilliant show would win the day. (And perhaps today's modern audience might get a chuckle out of the unsophisticated,slightly nervous 50's style host)Anyway,I'm writing this as I'm enjoying "Wild Man Blues" for about the 200th time

Thanks so much for posting this!

Columbia Records made a record, but from sessions the day before the telecast.

Waooo...The best !!!

go to The Greatest Jazz Film Ever Part 2 to see the whole thing....amazing

The year I was born! Good stuff yeah!!!!

Their faces are great!

It is so wonderful when we see an artist, a white dude just enjoying the playing of Coleman Hawings.

begining at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1470">24:30</a> , Monks set with Basie sitting at the other end of the piano is some interesting people watching...cheers