Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine: Things To Come (1993)

Singer Billy Eckstine, who died March 8, said he resented how Hollywood ignored him and many fellow black jazz greats. Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine: Things To Come provides the evidence: The only visual documentation of Eckstine and Dizzy Gillespie's pace-setting 1940s bebop big bands was provided by black film producer William D. Alexander in low-budget efforts culled here.

Rhythm in a Riff includes Eckstine's ballad hit ''Prisoner of Love'' and still-modern-sounding jazz instrumentals with greats Art Blakey, Frank Wess, and Gene Ammons. Jivin' in Be-Bop features Gillespie classics ''Salt Peanuts'' and ''Oop Bop Sh'Bam.'' But inexplicably missing here are two high points from the original release print, ''Shaw Nuff'' and ''A Night in Tunisia.'' B

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