This outstanding DVD presents a previously unissued filmed concert by the Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band - one of the most unusual formations in jazz history. Promoted by Italian entrepreneur Gigi Campi (who is also the announcer here), this performance includes such outstanding players as Johnny Griffin, Benny Bailey, Don Menza and Sahib Shihab, along with Ellingtonian bassist Jimmy Woode. It also boasts equally famous European musicians, as well as the legendary drummer Kenny Clarke, who by then had recently settled in Paris. According to Campi, this band could play "any music that is in the spirit of jazz." Pianist Francy Boland had classical training and was brought to the attention of Count Basie and Benny Goodman by pianist Mary Lou Williams. He then went to the United States to arrange for them and for Woody Herman and Dizzy Gillespie before returning to Europe in 1957. Even though it included such distinguished soloists, the band functioned as a compact unit. "They say that there are seventeen soloists here", explained Campi, "each man a strong individualist. Francy just walks to the front, waves a hand and the band blows. He walks back. The band has its own personality -a composite. It is a projection of seventeen musicians. In different circumstances these men might find themselves in conflict. Instead there is tolerance and respect, and affection. When it comes to music there is no argument. Never." "One would be hard put to better this personnel in Europe", stated saxo-phonist and club owner Ronnie Scott. "If I were to form a band, these are the guys I would pick." Besides Clarke, the band included a second drummer, the British Kenny Clare, who plays a duet with the master at the concert's end. "The concert in Prague was ridiculous", continued Campi. "The program was supposed to run for 50 minutes. The band played for an hour and forty-five minutes. That included a short encore. The musicians walked off to thunderous acclaim. Kenny Clare went upstairs and changed, then came down for a drink. The audience was still applauding. It must have kept it up for nearly ten minutes." This DVD includes every single note captured by the TV cameras during this exceptional evening of music. Benny Bailey, Idrees Sulieman, Jimmy Deuchar, Dusko Goykovich (tp), Ake Persson, Nat Peck, Eric van Lier (tb), Derek Humble (as), Johnny Griffin, Don Menza, Tony Coe, Ronnie Scott (ts), Sahib Shihab (bar), Francy Boland (p, arr), Jimmy Woode (b), Kenny Clarke & Kenny Clare (d), Fats Sadi (bgo, vib), Gigi Campi (emcee). Telecast "Ceska Televize", Prague, Czech Republic, October 22, 1967. 11 Tracks. Total Time: 68 min.