British-born jazz pianist George Shearing appeared on American television many times in the years following his emigration to the United States in the late 1940s, including a six-month stint as host of a half-hour music series broadcast on KCOP in Los Angeles from March to September of 1965. Just two months prior to the premiere of that George Shearing Show, he hosted this January 1965 color special produced at KTLA on which he welcomed singers Jennie Smith and “The Velvet Fog” Mel Tormé, for an hour of music and song. Highlights include such Shearing favorites as “I'll Take Romance,” “East of the Sun,” “I'll Remember April” and “Autumn Leaves.” Smith sings “He Loves Me” and “Someone To Watch Over Me,” while Tormé offers a spirited “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and, accompanied by Shearing on piano, the lovely romantic ballad, “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square.” —Dan Einstein
DigiBeta,b/w, 50 min. A Sheba Enterprises production in association with Golden West Broadcasters. Producer: Kip Walton. Director: Kip Walton. With: The George Shearing Quintet (George Shearing, piano; Hagood Hardy, vibes; Nick Martinez, drums; Joe Pass, guitar; Bob Whitlock, bass), Jennie Smith, Mel Tormé.
Preserved from the original 2” tape. Video transfer at the CBS Media Exchange.