Summer of Music: Jazz On Film

Thelonius Monk Straight, No Chaser

Dir. Charlotte Zwerin (1988) 90 mins.

Filmmakers Bruce Ricker and Charlotte Zwerin utilize Michael and Christian Blackwood's 1968 footage of modern jazz innovator, Thelonious Monk, to create a singular portrait of this Jazz master's life both onstage and off. Charlotte Zwerin brings her editing genius (Gimme Shelter, Salesman) to the fore as she weaves new interviews, archival photos and music through the Blackwoods' verité footage to deliver a comprehensive biography while maintaining the open, meditative space that characterizes Monk's compositions. Of the films she made with Albert and his brother David Maysles, Al says, "Charlotte is gone now, but she is still the best editor I know of."

Summer of Music: “Nina Simone Great Performances: College Concerts and Interviews”

Music: 7:00 pm

The National Jazz Museum All-Stars

This five piece intergenerational band will present instrumental variations on the compositions made famous by the inimitable jazz vocalist, Nina Simone.

Screening: 8:30 pm

“Nina Simone Great Performances: College Concerts and Interviews”

Andy Stroud, 2009, 60 mins. 

Rare film of this legendary artist performing at Amherst and Morehouse College. Includes interviews with Simone on her opinions on the role of the artist and race relations.

Brought to you by the Maysles Cinema, Target ® and the Historic Harlem Parks Coalition

Summer of Music: Jazz On Film

The Last of The Blue Devils

Dir. Bruce Ricker (1979) 80 min.

The Last of the Blue Devils chronicles the 1979 reunion of many of these legendary players, combining interviews, vintage film footage, photos, and some inimitably swinging performances by Basie, Turner, pianist Jay McShann, and many others to create an intimate, good-natured portrait of what one old-timer calls the "cool, relaxed sound" of the city. The camaraderie among these men, all of whom are colorful raconteurs, is palpable. But it's the music, surely, that's the main attraction; performances include some familiar tunes, like Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and a Basie big band version of "Night Train" (featuring tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, the tune's composer) that's as greasy as the local barbecue. The Last of the Blue Devils is an absolute delight not to be missed!"The Last of the Blue Devils" contains vintage footage of important Kansas City musicians as Big Joe Turner, Lester Young, Jay McShann, Charlie "Yardbird" Parker and the Count Basie Orchestra with Freddie Green, to name a few. Beyond the exceptionally filmed musical segments, the documentary's highlight remains the personal interactions between all of the wonderful Kansas City legends reunited in 1979 for a historic jam session.

Summer of Music: I Bring What I Love

Dir. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, 2008, 102 min.

Senegalese pop sensation Youssou Ndour has spent the last 20 years in the spotlight as a world-renowned musician and the iconic representative “voice of Africa.” At the height of his career, Youssou became frustrated by the negative perception of his Muslim faith and composed Egypt, a deeply spiritual album dedicated to a more tolerant view of Islam. The album’s brave musical message was wholeheartedly embraced by Western audiences but ignited serious religious controversy in his homeland of Senegal. The film chronicles the difficult journey Youssou must undertake to assume his true calling.

Jazzmobile Presents: Afro-Haitian Jazz with Buyu Ambroise

Film Screening: 8:30 pm

Brought to you by the Maysles Cinema, Target ® and the Historic Harlem Parks Coalition

Summer of Music: Say Amen, Somebody

Dir. George T. Nierenberg (1982) 100 min.

This film documents the lives of since departed gospel stars, innovators of the genre from which soul, r&b, and even hip hop flowed. At center are “Professor” Thomas A. Dorsey and “Mother” Willie Mae Ford, who recall the conservative resistance they faced towards the rhythm and blues inflections of the “new” gospel music they wrote and performed. Say Amen, Somebody foretells the next cycle of growth exhibited by the evening’s live performers - the energetic R&B infused choir of the First Corinthian Baptist Church. Yet “Say Amen, Somebody” transcends it’s historical import as a masterful example of cinema verite: director George Nierenberg communicates personal and cultural histories by interweaving his subjects in informal conversation, recollection, listening to and performing music under the careful eyes of cinematographers Don Lenzer and Ed Lachman.

Music: 7:00 pm - First Corinthian Baptist Church Choirs

Film Screening: @ 8:30 pm

Brought to you by the Maysles Cinema, Target ® and the Historic Harlem Parks Coalition