Dispensing with critics and historians, the series focuses on the musicians: dozens of them telling the story of Jazz in their own words. Often, music performances are allowed to play out, entertaining moments are illuminated, and the irrepressible nature of the music and its greatest innovators shines through. The series set a new standard for television music documentaries.
The documentaries in this series were first broadcast in the 1980's and 1990's; these are the latest and best-remastered versions to appear on DVD, and will be released on March 30, 2010.
Masters of American Music is a co-production of Toby Byron/Multiprises in association with Beta Film, Munich, and VideoArts Japan. Suggested Retail price is $19.99 per DVD.
The World According to John Coltrane
John Coltrane was the most innovative and influential jazz saxophonist of the 1960's. This documentary shows that he was all that and more---much more. “The World According to John Coltrane" is anything but a conventional documentary film. It traces Coltrane's musical growth from his roots in the black church and in rhythm and blues through his forty years of life and beyond, concluding with a musical meeting between Art Ensemble of Chicago saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell and dervish musicians in Morocco's eastern Sahara desert. Made with the cooperation of Alice Coltrane.
With Alice Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, La Monte Young, Rashied Ali, Tommy Flanagan, and Roscoe Mitchell. Produced by Toby Byron and Richard Saylor; directed by Robert Palmer and Toby Byron; written by Robert Palmer; narrated by Ed Wheeler. A co-production of Toby Byron/Multiprises in association with Taurus Film, Munich, and VideoArts, Japan. Running Time: 59:00
Sarah Vaughan: The Divine One
She was Sarah, Sassy, and The Divine One--the incomparable Sarah Vaughan. This documentary recounts Vaughan's rise from her beginnings at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, through her debut at the Apollo Theater, to her preeminence in nightclubs, concert halls, and jazz festivals around the world. The live performances recorded here span Vaughn's entire career. The Los Angeles Times called the show “riveting".
With Billy Eckstine; Roy Haynes; Joe Williams; George Gaffney; Marty Paich; Sarah's mother, Ada, and her daughter, Paris. Produced by Toby Byron and Richard Saylor; directed by Matthew Seig; written by Dan Morgenstern. A co-production of Toby Byron/Multiprises in association with Taurus Film, Munich, VideoArts, Japan, and Thirteen/WNET, New York. 59:00
Count Basie: Swingin' the Blues
No other musician was ever more completely committed to the proposition of stomping, shouting, swinging, jumping, and dragging away the blues than Count Basie. From 1936 to 1984, Basie led one of the most enduring swing bands of all time. And today his legacy lives on, his band still on the road, generating the good-time, foot-tapping atmosphere that has always been synonymous with the Basie name. In “Swingin' the Blues", a distinguished group of Basie alumni come together to lend us their insight.
With Harry “Sweets" Edison, Al Grey, Heywood Henry, Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Lewis, Jay McShann, Grover Mitchell, Albert Murray, Buddy Tate, Earle Warren, Claude Williams, and Joe Williams. Produced by Toby Byron and Richard Saylor; directed by Matthew Seig; written by Albert Murray; narrated by Roscoe Lee Browne. A co-production of Toby Byron/Multiprises in association with Taurus Film, Munich, and VideoArts, Japan. 58:00
Bluesland: A Portrait in American Music
This film explores the blues---with all its poetic irony and sly humor, its eroticism and timeless power. “Bluesland" travels the expansive landscape of the music, tracing its roots from the beginning of the twentieth century through the Mississippi Delta to Louisiana, Texas, Kansas City, and Chicago. The film includes memorable footage of some of the blues' greatest players--Son House, Bessie Smith, Jimmy Rushing, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker. A moving, authentic, and illustrative overview of the blues---a must for all music lovers.
With Albert Murray and Robert Palmer. Produced by Toby Byron and Richard Saylor; directed by Ken Mandel; written by Ralph Meyers, Toby Byron, Ken Mandel; hosted by Keith David. A co-production of Toby Byron/Multiprises in association with Taurus Film, Munich, and VideoArts, Japan. 90:00
Other Masters of American Music DVDs you might enjoy:
Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
Lady Day: The Many Faces of Billie Holiday
Thelonious Monk: American Composer
The Story of Jazz
For more information contact Michael Bloom Media Relations.
