New Documentary on Free Jazz

I am pleased to announce the completion of the documentary Inside Out In The Open. It's an hour-long exploration into the music known as free jazz. I finished the “fine-tuning" last week with a wonderful editor/technician in Columbus, Ohio, so it now sounds and looks great.

This has been a project over 3 years in the making and will be an important contribution to the discussion of the history of jazz music, especially in light of the January PBS broadcast of Jazz by Ken Burns and the criticisms of that series.

Inside Out In The Open integrates its subject matter into the form of the documentary itself, creating a musically-driven examination of this music through the words and performances of over 20 musicians. It is filled with insights and surprises. It also gives recognition to important musicians who were completely left out of the PBS/Burns program. This list includes Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Eric Dolphy, and the later work of John Coltrane.

Interviews with: Marion Brown, Baikida Carroll, Daniel Carter, Burton Greene, Susie Ibarra, Joseph Jarman, William Parker, Matt Shipp, Roswell Rudd, Alan Silva and John Tchicai. Performances by: Peter Brotzman, Denis Charles, Glenn Spearman, In Order to Survive, Other Dimensions in Music, and many of those interviewed.

Inside Out In The Open is my first major documentary and the first of two examinations of this music. A second documentary focusing on the New York Art Quartet is in production. The Art Quartet existed for only a year in 1964-65, but made a major contribution to the development of music. In 1999 they reconvened for a 35-year reunion. That documentary will be about that group, the reunion, the community of musicians and artists in the early 60s, and a portrait of these artists to the present.

A premiere showing of Inside Out In The Open is being planned for New York City in the near future. I will also be entering it in film festivals and having it shown in other non-commercial venues.

I will be sending out updates and further information on the details and life of this new work. Feel free to ask questions if you're curious or need more information. Reply to me at: [email protected]

Thank You,
Alan Roth