AllMovie

Each year, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, sponsors a number of special cultural events for the public. This six-part video series showcases the diverse musical talents of a group of artists who have performed at the Institute. Art Blakey, Benny Carter, Alberta Hunter, Art Farmer, Joe Williams, and Mel Lewis take the stage and delight audiences in each videotaped performance. This volume highlights the special talents of drummer Art Blakey, who performed with the Jazz Messengers from the 1940s through the 1990s. Blakey's desire to always work with the most talented younger musicians brought him into contact with Wynton Marsalis. Both Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis join Blakey for several songs. Wynton Marsalis also performs a solo trumpet rendition of Kurt Weill's song "My Ship."