Rob Price
Gutbrain Records
rob + gutbrain.com = email

2010 November 10 • Wednesday

Here's another recent DVD release of interest.

I had almost all of these on videotape. It's a fun show, especially if you're into the West Coast jazz scene.

Johnny Staccato is a private detective who hangs out at a New York City jazz club called Waldo's.

It's like an idealized version of the Village Vanguard. When we first meet Staccato, he's playing piano in some very impressive company.

In the first episode they give each musician a close-up. Here's John Cassavetes.

Then Red Norvo.

Then Barney Kessel.

Pete Candoli.

Shelly Manne.

And Red Mitchell.

When Staccato has to leave to attend to business, Johnny Williams—also known as John Williams, composer of the soundtracks to Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List and probably a few other movies—takes his place.

The music is by Elmer Bernstein, very much in the vein (ahem) of his The Man with the Golden Arm.

The neat graphic below Bernstein's name refers back to the opening credits.

Eduardo Ciannelli plays Waldo.

While it's especially fun for musician spotting, it's an enjoyable show in its own right. Film scholars will be most interested to watch those episodes that carry the following credit.

As you can see, after the first episode the neat graphic was changed to the three notes of a B-flat major triad—marked staccato. The opening credits changed also.

Later on they made new credits with an emphasis on action and changed the title from Staccato to Johnny Staccato.

I look forward to watching these on the winter nights that will be here soon.

That's Gerry Mulligan in the background!