Date:	21-May-1998 23:09:45
From:	Alex Henderson (bearilla@aol.com)
	My recommendations include Chet Baker "Let's Get Lost," Sonny Rollins "Saxophone Colassas," Dexter Gordon "Round Midnight" and Clint Eastwood's "Bird." For a good laugh, try Sun Ra "A Joyful Noise." What I'd like to know is if there are any jazz films with Swedish dominatrixes.

 

Date:	22-May-1998 07:49:13
From:	jim smith (smithj@pbs.port.ac.uk)
	Jazz on a Summers Day...

 

Date:	22-May-1998 08:03:37
From:	Michael Ricci (mricci@visionx.com)
	Is anyone familiar with the 1985 flick, "The Gig"? Here's an old Washington Post review... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/thegignrharrington_a0aa1e.htm How about Kirk Douglas in "Young Man with a Horn"? (1950) -- A young trumpeter enjoys highs (musical success, fame, and fortune) and lows (sour marriage, death of his mentor, bout with alcoholism) in this thinly veiled version of the life of Bix Beiderbecke.

 

Date:	26-May-1998 01:55:20
From:	Marc Minor
	In my view, the most interesting jazz film of the last few years is "LUSH LIFE". Details: Released in 1993 ; initially a Shiwtime "original";

 

Date:	26-May-1998 02:04:42
From:	Marc Minor
	There is a knockout made-for-cable movie called Lush Life", now available on VHS. This film was a Showtime original in 1993 and starred Jeff Goldblum and Forest Whitaker. Lennie Niehaus did originals and arrangements; key players were Bob Cooper and Chuck Findlay. This is a "buddy" movie, like" Brian's Song", but is fiction. Michael Elias wrote and directed; this is a straight-ahead labor of love!

 

Date:	28-May-1998 20:55:43
From:	Reese Erlich (rerlich@csuhayward.edu)
	I'm creating a series of webpages on jazz in film for my Jazz Perspectives. The first takes an overview, and looks specifically at Bird and Round Midnight. The next in the series will look at jazz in Clint Eastwood's movies: Bird vs. Dirty Harry. I'd like to know folks' reactions. http://www.mercurycenter.com/jazz

 

Date:	29-May-1998 12:26:48
From:	George Robinson
	I"m not sure there any really completely satisfactory fiction films about jazz, although Eastwood's Bird comes the closest I think. However, Last of the Blue Devils is a terrific documentary and although I'm not crazy about Jazz on a Summer's Day myself the people I've seen it with over the years generally really get into it.

 

Date:	02-Jun-1998 10:14:59
From:	M. Lydon (lyd00842acad.@suffolk.edu)
	Without any deliberation on this question of what is the quintessential jazz film, I will exclaim "Mo' Better Blues," Spike Lee's fictitous, but beautifully portayed film. The colors Lee used are iredescent, capturing the tones and moods of jazz. The shades of blue, as "All Blues" set the pace during the revolving love scene or the hot reds used as Denzil Washington's Miles-like character blows roaring lines at the club. This film surpassing any other film ever made on jazz because it brings the viewer behind the music and into a jazz quartet, the feuding, the interaction, how the music's made. However, if you wanna watch Bird fall down the stairs and stumble for three hours, go watch Clint Eastwood's movie. That might be one of the worst film's Clint's ever done. How could he depict the greatest improviser of all time so morbidly. There were many bright moments in Parker's life besides the booze and abuse. Don't use this film as a historical reference.

 

Date:	02-Jun-1998 10:22:42
From:	M. Lydon (lyd00842acad.@suffolk.edu)
	Without a doubt, Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues" surpassing any other jazz film. If you wanna watch Bird fall down the stairs and pass out every five seconds for a 3-hour duration, go watch Clint's film.

 

Date:	15-Jun-1998 06:57:13
From:	max (ubertall@measn0.isim.univ-montp2.fr)
	the greatest film i have ever seen about jazz is without an hesitation "Bird". during 3h30, i was behind ny television while thinking that the love klint eastwood have for jazz music is fabulous

 

Date:	18-Jun-1998 00:26:02
From:	Matt O'Neil (moneil@concentric.net)
	Many of the movies here are good from an entertainment perspective. However the film the I woulkd first recommend to a jazz enthusiast and/or novice would be the BMG video from the "Masters of American Music" series entitled, "THE STORY OF JAZZ". Check it out. You might learn something.

 

Date:	18-Jun-1998 13:08:57
From:	Rich Chapel (rchapel@discovernet.net)
	While not a about the jazz life, the 1960s classic, Blowup, has a great jazz soundtrack. It's quite enjoyable without the screen action and sets a very mysterious mood.

 

Date:	28-Jun-1998 18:49:24
From:	Lee Prout (lprout@ro.com)
	I have seen the majority of the films mentioned in the e-mail comments, but my exposure to them spans several decades, so my personal perspective was (and is) in a state of transition. My response to all art, including music, is undergoing constant development; if most of us are honest, we will admit this. However, since I'll never be able to sit down and view all of the prime candidates for "Best Jazz Cinema," in one non-stop sitting, I'll have to trust my memory & tuition, and select 'Round Midnight' as my personal choice.

 

Date:	21-Jul-1998 00:17:44
From:	Joe Castor (jazzjo@yahoo.com)
	I agree with most of the above and would like to add one more: The Benny Goodman Story. It's lightweight all the way and Steve Allen is as stiff as he can be but the story is told with obvious admiration and he uses many great players as themselves including the great Lionel Hampton. This movie is not in the same league as Mo' Better or Bird but it is still a fun telling of pop music histo

 

Date:	22-Jul-1998 07:02:22
From:	mat
	Straight no chaser would be the best option,especially for mon fans. But in my opinion Bird seems to be the the best all-rounder jazz film. Heard the soundtrack of Straight no chaser, but where can i find the video of this in Australia?

 

Date:	22-Jul-1998 10:18:15
From:	David Whiteis (whiteis@ipfw.edu)
	Definitely "Straight, No Chaser" -- & also "Round Midnight". "Let's Get Lost" was moving & evocative, although some would probably suggest that it furthered a lot of negative stereotypes about jazz musicians & the "jazz life," as they say (altho' Chet Baker's life, like it or not, fulfilled many of those stereotypes, no doubt) -- Can't say I really liked "Bird". There were some provocative moments --I thought his relationship w/ Chan, especially in its early stages, was shown w/ grace & insight-- but I also thought that the real heart & soul of the man were missing: First of all, Eastwood seems to forget that MUSIC --not drugs, not neurosis, not anything else-- was the focal point of Bird's heart & soul. I wanted to witness him, Diz, & the others in the glorious throes of creation. Where was that joyous "spark of the new" that so infused those legendary sessions? Even today, on the umpteen-thousandth listening, they sound fresh & revolutionary -- you can HEAR the ecstacy of revelation coming through those horns! ("Round Midnight" did a much better job of capturing this -- it also never lost sight of the fact that, despite any demons or self-sabotage that might get in the way, the innermost core of Dale Turner's soul was consumed & inspired by music) -- It's the tragic contradiction between that transcendent joy & the hell of personal demons that a good biographer needs to explore. We also get any context for Bird's troubles, except for the implication that he was an overgrown man-child, irresponsible & self-destructive, who either couldn't or wouldn't take responsibility for his own behavior. Well -- yes & no. One could probably say that about virtually any addict, & Bird never made any excuses for his excesses, so I won't attempt to do so here. Yet & still: where was the wrestling w/ critical ignorance, public apathy, & industry rip-offs? Where were the social & political forces that combined w/ the man's own personal flaws to create such a deadly mix? Where was the suggestion (controversial, perhaps, but at least worth exploring) that the obsessive need to transcend, to loose the bonds of reality & soar into new & uncharted territory which inspires a creative genius might also be at the heart of at least some of that same genius's attempts to alter his consciousness in other ways -- or to soothe the torment that inevitably occurs when such searchings & seekings result in revelations that are painful (or worse)? I also thought that Eastwood's personal ideologies got in the way on some key issues. If I understand the history correctly, Bird did, in fact, want to move out of the U.S., because of the racism he encountered here. If my memory serves me right, the exact opposite was expressed in the movie. It was highly questionable, in my opinion, to assume that Bird would have such contempt for an R&B saxophonist -- he was known to appreciate all types of music, from the most mickey-mouse to the most profound. Eastwood could have found other ways to address & critique the cheapening of art in the corporate-driven American cultural mainstream w/out setting up a false dichotomy between "high-art" Bird & "Low-art" R&B honker. I'm reasonably sure that Bird did not make such distinctions in his own aesthetics. Ah, well -- this comment is turning into a rant of its own -- sorry, folks!

 

Date:	29-Jul-1998 16:25:25
From:	Bob Reed (lamreed@GTE.net)
	For an old traditional jazz buff and a kid of the 50's who was out of step with the emerging R&R, idolizing the still living pioneers of Dixie and Swing...I found Jack Webb's (AKA Sgt. Friday of Dragnet fame)produced/directed/and starring movie "Pete Kelley's Blues" a terrific movie. It featured a few notable jazz greats including Ella...I guess I secretly hoped it would bring around my Elvis Presley & Little Richard crazed peers around to "real jazz". I would have to echo a previous commentors observations about "The Benny Goodman Story".

 

Date:	26-Aug-1998 17:52:07
From:	john rowland (j.tenorsax@cableinet.co.uk)
	One of the better films that i have watched in the past few years was Mo Better Blues yet another brilliant Spike Lee film with the Branford Marsalis Quartet featuring Terence Blanchard on trumpet there is a soundtrack cd as well

 

Date:	17-Oct-1998 11:04:41
From:	Gunnar W (knegaren@algonet.se)
	Quincy jones wrote the very jazzy score for the swedish fil "The boy in the tree", directed by Arne Sucksdorff. the film is a turkey, but the music is worth listening to. A minor classic is "Stormy Monday" with Sting (!) as a jazz club owner in Newcastle. it has a great soundtrack and it features a polish avant-garde ensemble that plays "The star-spangled banner" in a way tha would have made Jimi Hendrix proud. Itīs a great movie by all aspects and it has that very rare jazz feeling.

 

Date:	19-Oct-1998 15:21:16
From:	Don Pope (jazzsax@mcia.com)
	Here's a flick i didn't see mentioned: "DINGO" (1992) IT'S A STORY OF A GUY IN AUSTRALIA WHO TRAPS DINGOS FOR A LIVING ... BUT BLOWS JAZZ TRUMPET IN THE OUTBACK & A "BUSH BAND" . . .YET ASPIRES TO GO TO PARIS TO MEET MILES DAVIS WHOM HE ENCOUNTERED AS A CHILD AT A WHISTLESTOP RUNWAY PERFORMANCE ( I NEVER KNEW THAT ANYONE EVER DID THOSE ANYWHERE BEFORE) WELL HE GETS TO MAKE THE TRIP & FINDS MILES AND...WELL....JUST GO TO HASTINGS OR BLOCKBUSTER & FIND OUT THE REST. *** ( 3 stars) MILES & MICHEL LEGRAND WROTE THE MUSIC & THE AUSSIE HORN MAN IS COLIN FRIELS.

 

Date:	09-Nov-1998 15:37:23
From:	Chris Steck
	Surprised no one's hit on "A Great Day in Harlem" yet. It's a documentary on the legendary 1958 Esquire mag photo shoot where the jazz greats were told to show up (at 10 AM!)by word of mouth. It gives a good feeling for the era, the comradery, and some fun interviews with Sonny Rollins,Diz, Art Blakey, Marion McPartland (from NPR's "Piano Jazz") and insights into the personalities of many of these and other greats like Monk, Count Basie. All of the folks mentioned above are in the photo and also a young Mingus, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, and many more. (You can check out the photo on www.harlem.org/greatday.html) I also enjoyed the Blue Note History of Jazz about the label's founders, Alfred Lion and Frank Wolfe, and the importance/magic of recording for Blue Note. It discusses the stable of artists like Jimmy smith, Horace Silver, the Jazz Messengers and more. Really good sound quality as it's a video from the late 80's...

 

Date:	21-Nov-1998 09:18:10
From:	peter (p o'kelly@rhbnc.ac.uk)
	I think that the early films of John Cassavetes, suuch as 'Shadows'(1959) and 'Too Late Blues'(1962) are essential films for a jazz enthusiast. Not only do they both contain fantastic soundtracks by the likes of Benny Goodman, they are also realistic improvisational works about people and social interaction. Improvisation, after all is, in my opinion what jazz music is all about. Films like 'Bird' miss this point entirely.

 

Date:	29-Dec-1998 17:20:23
From:	Joel
	I didn't see Kansas City, but a companion performance film was made at the same time and it is wonderful. --just the "young lions" jamming on some old tunes. Anyone have more info? I think its only available by mail order. -------Joel

 

Date:	21-Jan-1999 03:30:41
From:	Ken (kenbrown@unforgettable.com)
	A movie starring a young Nat King Cole who plays the part of a jazz composer W.C Handy who has to break away from his fathers strict religious upbringing and belief that jazz is evil and sinful music. Does anyone know the movie? It was just faboulous, and of course Nat's singing incredible.

 

Date:	03-Mar-1999 18:53:05
From:	Hubert (www.clis.com/stardust)
	The Gig was a pretty good movie with Warren Vache, the coronet player. One point it made well was how some guys go through life wanting to play, but not having the ability. The soundtrack of Kansas City was a great snapshot of music from the 30's. Musicians were all greats of today (David Newman was one of the many featured) playing in the styles of the 30's. I saw a one hour thing on PBS about Robert Altman's music in the film. The film was very forgettable, but the music was fantastic.

 

Date:	15-Mar-1999 22:46:56
From:	Philly Trumpet
	"The Gig"--anyone who's ever played professionally at any level would love the movie. You know, kind of, well, it's a lame gig, but I need the money sort of thing. Don't get me wrong. I like most of the other movies I've seen discussed here (especially Great Day in Harlem), but I saw myself and a lot of other journeymen players in "The Gig". It doesn't seem to be available from Reel.Com, I've looked.

 

Date:	28-Jul-1999 05:11:56
From:	Viks
	Bird is definitely a movie every jazz fan should watch. By the way, who is that tenor player in the movie, that laughs at Bird in the beginning and then throws his sax in the river, and later player plays rock n roll?

 

Date:	22-Sep-1999 02:47:50
From:	Brian s. Aylor (schmoodrum@aol.com)
	Jazz on a Summers Day. 1954(?)Newport Jazz Fest. Anita O'Day is unreal!

 

Date:	03-Oct-1999 14:14:29
From:	Sparky (sparkyk@airmail.net)
	Recently purchases: Blue Note "A Story of Modern Jazz" Gives a good background about Francis Wolf and Albert Lion and why and how they got the Blue Note label going and its success. Footage of Albert Ammons & Pete johnson 1939, Bud Bowell 1962, John coltrane 1962, Dextor Gordon 1965, Freddie Hubbard 1965, Horace Silver 1965, Sonny Rollins 1965, Thelonious Monk 1966, Art Blakey 1968, Elvin Jones 1968, Town Hall concert 1985, Cassandra Wilson 1996, the blue Note All Stars 1996. As a jazz educator I enjoyed the historical aspects of the film. Happy Viewing Sparky

 

Date:	24-Dec-1999 11:14:00
From:	robert hess (hfis646942@aol.com)
	SHOCKED! Nobody has mentioned the two greatest JAZZ films ever made- Jammin The Blues(1944) by Gjon Mili. Features Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, et al. Great dance scene with Marie Bryant and Archie Savage. A CLASSIC. The Sound of Jazz(1957), CBS-TV. The greatest aggregation of jazz legends ever on the same stage. Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Billie Holiday, Roy Eldridge et al.

 

Date:	26-Mar-2000 21:53:16
From:	richard dee
	Let's face it-there will never be a fictional jazz movie that concentrates on the MUSIC.Movies are made to make money and the music aspect just does not interest the general public.Contrary to some opinions,I thought "Mo'Better Blues" was most disapointing;very weak story line which did'nt go anywhere,and totally unconvincing performances from the principles,especially in the playing sequences.Another one not so far mentioned is "Paris Blues",but again the playing sequences with Newman & Sidney Poitier completely blew it for me.I guess that for any musician,an actor miming is never going to make it.Maybe that is why I rate "Round Midnight"very highly-story 'bout an aging tenor giant trying to get it together played by--an aging tenor player trying to keep it together;Dex was terrific!!It's easy enough to ctitisise Eastwood ,but he did make his living playing jazz piano at one time (or so I understand),and he features jazz in his movies whenever possible,and often uses Lennie Nieuhaus for his scores and soundtracks.His film on Bird was not great,but not the worst either,and the social/racial aspect was adressed to some extent in the sequences where he had to introduce Red Rodney as "Albino Red"when playing in the then segrgated south.I also liked "Lush Life",an unpretencious buddy movie,although the concluding jam session sequence was kinda unbeleivable. Which brings me to the "docujazz"movie,and my personal favourite,Bruce Weber's tribute to Mr.Chet.Some understandable bitterness from ex-girl friends,but it seems still a lot of love from his own much-neglected family; quite an insight into the life and loves of this much troubled artist,but the path he choose has left us with some memorable music.On the subject of the great Mr. Chet, I must repeat a plea made elsewhere.Can any kind millionaire buy up the rights of Chet's autobiography,and so prevent Hollywood making the movie with this De Caprio guy in the title role.It could only be a TOTAL DISASTER,and whatever his faults the memory of the great Mr. Chet does not deserve that!.

 

Date:	14-Jun-2000 12:16:06
From:	Mike Marano (mrmarano@flashcom.net)
	Robert Altman's Jazz '34: Rememberances of Kansas City Jazz. Don't confuse this with the horrid monster of a film, Kansas City. This is a 75 minute collection of performances that never made it into the film. The costumes and setting, and the hard swinging seem about as close as one can get to the time, whether it's absolutely accurate or not. It has its flaws (the audience seems out of sync and uninspired at times, and the musicians' showboating goes over the top at times), but it's got some fine music. The final cut, Solitude, as played by Chestnut, Byron, and featuring McBride and Carter on a tremendous bass duo, will knock you out. This first aired on PBS in my home town back in 1997, and is available on VHS.

 

Date:	23-Jul-2000 01:12:41
From:	Geo (bun@poetic.com)
	Chiar nici un roman nu este interesat de muzica jazz din filme? Pacat! Daca gaseste cineva acest mesaj imi poate scrie la adresa de email mentionata. Poate gasim si C.D.-uri gratuite undeva pe Internet,nu? Salve virtualule cititor !

 

Date:	31-Jul-2000 15:33:57
From:	Alina Bloomgarden (bloomsky@aol.com)
	How can I get a video tape of Pete Kelley's Blues? Thank you

 

Date:	22-Sep-2000 12:38:34
From:	Josh (MilesAndTrane@aol.com)
	I think if people look beyond the story and take a moment to savor the music, lighting, cinematography, editing, wardrobe, and dialogue; you will see that Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues" is the definitive jazz film. To begin with, it's one of the very few jazz movies to really mark itself in late 20th century culture. I think the story holds up considerably if you follow Bleek Gilliam into his world through Lee's camera instead of your own eyes. Also, Lee pays homage to the old days by costuming his musicians in old be-bop outfits and lacing the soundtrack with bits of Miles, Coltrane, Cannonball & Mingus. The original jazz numbers composed for the film by Branford Marsalis are tasteful yet still let out a little appropriate noise now and again. And... the score by Lee's father, Bill Lee, is absolutely incredible. It's a crime the score is out of print. I think other jazz films - "Bird", "'Round Midnight" and "Paris Blues" - have their place, but I truly believe Lee captured the rhythms & tones of jazz with "Mo' Better Blues". For those detractors, I encourage you to give it a second try to see it through the lenses of Lee's blue-and-red tinted world.

 

Date:	26-Sep-2000 17:42:41
From:	Rhapsody Films (cinemaweb/rhapsody films)
	You can get jazz videos from our company including Robert Altman's KC Jazz, Bird, Pete Kelly's Blues, StraightNo Chaser, DVD Jazz on a Summer's Day and many more

 

Date:	05-Oct-2000 15:26:33
From:	Paul Yarmoluk (Paul_Yarmoluk@Paramount.com)
	I am interested to know from all of you cats and kittens out there if you would like to see a film based on the making of the legendary KIND OF BLUE album. Perhaps Don Cheadle as Miles; Denzel as Trane; Ving Rhames as Cannonball, etc. Let me know what you think.

 

Date:	21-Nov-2000 03:42:20
From:	Wilfried Schaus-Sahm (w.schaus-sahm@stadt-duisburg.de)
	Can anybody help me to find a videocopy of the film "Jack Johnson". Miles Davis wrote the famous soundtrack.

 

Date:	01-Feb-2001 10:02:52
From:	Gordon Thompsell
	Astonished that your list for polling of "best jazz film ever" does not include the legendary and unsurpassed film of the Monterey '57(?) jazz festival called Jazz on a Summer's Day featuring Monk, Anita O'Day and Jimmy Guiffre. Of its time it was ground breaking not only in the technical quality of music recording but in terms of filmic devices which are now standard. The performances shift breathtakingly from one tour de force to another with many of the legendary jazz giants at their peak. The art of the cool committed to celluloid - this is it. Many fims of the late fifties and early sixties though not ostensibly 'jazz', were made by their jazz scores - quincy jones, the MJQ and jimmy smith did some terrific commercial film work whose popular appeal led to massive record sales. Are not some of these films worthy of inclusion in the polling list?

 

Date:	23-Feb-2001 05:45:12
From:	Jakob Henrikson (jakob.henrikson@alfa.telenordia.se)
	Letīs get lost with Chet Baker and īRound Midnight with Dexter Gordon are already mentioned and I think they are relly great. But here is a maybe hard-to-get film that relly is worth looking for. "Trollkarlen" (swedish for magician) It is about the swedish pianist Jan Johansson, who may be known for playing with Stan Getz in the 50s and 60s. He was a really original and wonderful musician, who experimented with different sounds and mixed the traditions of jazz and swedish folk music. If you canīt find the film atleast listen to some of Janīs records.