Not just an accomplished guitarist but a skilled multi-instrumentalist, T-Bone Walker was also an esteemed composer (see “Stormy Monday,” “You Don’t Love Me,” and “Mean Old World,” among many others). Plus, he was a respected bandleader, so it’s little if any surprise to witness this clip wherein the native Texan is sufficiently poised to appear on a program titled ‘Jazz at the Philharmonic:’ in 1966. He knows full well he will acquit both himself and the music with as much style as emotional substance. Seeing the sly grins radiating from his face as he sings with such resplendent confidence, his joy is no doubt indicative of the pleasure he’s taking in performance in the presence of jazz luminaries, including Dizzy Gillespie and Coleman Hawkins, among others.Â
