Rating: 
Summary: A great little film
Review: In preparation for the onslaught of Ken Burns' 19-hour PBS juggernaut I looked at a few enjoyable, well-made, BRIEF jazz documentaries recently. A Great Day In Harlem is perhaps the most entertaining. You wouldn't think that such a fine film could be made about such a seemingly slight subject----a 1958 Esquire photo of as many jazz musicians as they could scare up at the ungodly hour of ten in the morning. But at least two factors help make the film good, even great: First, it's no longer than it needs to be; only an hour. Second, they got in touch with as many of the surviving subjects of the photo as possible, letting the jazz musicians themselves talk about the occasion. Simple things, but they work. Several of the musicians who talk in this film have since passed away, Dizzy Gillespie for one, making it all the more treasurable. It also reminds one of what a time the 50's were in jazz---modernists of several stripes were already working, many of the original boppers were still around, and major figures of the 30's and even the 20's were still on the scene. I'll stop short of calling it a rich tapestry, but to see it exemplified in this amazing photo (and home movies too!) is kind of breath-taking.
Rating:
Summary: An Unsung Jazz Era
Review: The 1950s was one of the great eras of jazz, yet is hardly spoken of today. Many founders of jazz were still alive, the giants of the swing era were playing more superbly than ever, and modern jazz had already laid down the tracks that guide it still. Art Kane's photo brings together an unimaginable collection of the irreplaceable people who created this music. And the film does it the honor -- as another reviewer says -- of adding layers of richness to it. It is a touching moving film that anyone will enjoy. Its only sad impact is that is draws the comparison with what has to pass as jazz today. This film is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: A great day in history
Review: The brainchild of an Esquire magazine art director led to this wonderful moment in our cultural and national history -- almost 60 jazz musicians gathered on 120th Street in Harlem in 1958 for a photograph. This video draws on the memories of some of those who were there: Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Marian McPartland, Art Blakey, Gerry Mulligan, Milt Hinton, Bud Freeman among them -- to recreate the moment. Lots of film footage of the gathering and many touching moments are included, from Count Basie sitting on the curb with the neighborhood youngsters to Thelonious Monk's surprise showing -- late as usual. This was a monumental task, getting 60 jazz musicians to gather at 10 a.m., the equivalent of 4 a.m. in our world, and they did it! This video needs to be re-released, now if not sooner, for all of us who love jazz or want to learn more about its practitioners.
Rating:
Summary: A great day in history
Review: The brainchild of an Esquire magazine art director led to this wonderful moment in our cultural and national history -- almost 60 jazz musicians gathered on 120th Street in Harlem in 1958 for a photograph. This video draws on the memories of some of those who were there: Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Marian McPartland, Art Blakey, Gerry Mulligan, Milt Hinton, Bud Freeman among them -- to recreate the moment. Lots of film footage of the gathering and many touching moments are included, from Count Basie sitting on the curb with the neighborhood youngsters to Thelonious Monk's surprise showing -- late as usual. This was a monumental task, getting 60 jazz musicians to gather at 10 a.m., the equivalent of 4 a.m. in our world, and they did it! This video needs to be re-released, now if not sooner, for all of us who love jazz or want to learn more about its practitioners.
Rating:
Summary: Best jazz documentary there is.
Review: The film tells the full story behind the famous photograph that first appeared in Esquire in 1958 showing all the musicians on the stoop of a brownstone on 125th St. and a fascinating story it is. The film includes stills taken by Milt Hinton that day and a lot of footage taken by Milt Hinton's wife with an 8mm movie camera and it is masterfully edited. In the film we learn how Thelonious Monk held up the whole production by taking so long to decide what jacket he was going to wear. We learn why Count Basie is sitting down on the curb next to a row of neighborhood kids. We learn how amazing it is that the shoot came off at all because it was scheduled for 10 AM. The video also includes a short in which Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Hinton and Jonah Jones tell the story of the famous spitball incident in Cab Calloway's band.
Rating:
Summary: Harlem, the number one Jazz empire!
Review: This is a documentary about the golden age Jazz greats. These are the stories and sounds of the legends in the Jazz industry. The famous Picture of the great Jazz musicians and singers combined on the sidewalk of a street in Harlem, N.Y.. The kids that were sitting on the curb with Count Basie, wasn't supposed to be in the shot; but was used to add a realistic setting to the picture. Then there was the spitball story, told by Dizzy Gillespie himself. Dizzy was always shooting spitballs on the stage when they would be doing a show. He coaxed another band member into shooting them also, and Cab Calloway knew Dizzy had been shooting the spitballs and gave Dizzy plenty of warnings to stop. In one show, while Cab was on stage singing and dancing with some girls, a spitball landed on stage in front of Cab and the girls; right in the spot light. Mr. Calloway stopped the show and yelled at Dizzy, but it wasn't Dizzy that time; it was the other band member. When the other band member admitted to the spitball, Mr. Calloway still claimed it was Dizzy's fault, and fired him. Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Calloway got into a heated argument. The argument turned into a fight, and Dizzy pulled a switch blade on Mr. Cab Calloway; slicing him on the hand. Mr. Calloway, lunged at Dizzy and banged his leg against a large luggage trunk; forming a large bleeding wound on his leg. Mr. Gillespie said in his own words, "That was the best thing that had every happened to me" The fact that Mr. Cab Calloway fired him from the band, Mr. Dizzy Gillespie went on and formed his own band, and created his own success. This is an historial documentary that shouldn't be ignored. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Essential Jazz History- Not to be missed.
Review: This movie documents an extraordinary gathering of Jazz giants for a once in a lifetime photograph. The photograph, in and of itself, is perhaps the most famous single document of the incredible talent that fueled 1950's Jazz in America. The film, working from an extraordinary start, works with respect for the original work, and adds rich layers to the topic. The director, in a rare film moment of understatement, simply let the camera roll as the photographic event unfolded. The result is an documentary with minimalist film techniques, and content that is beautiful in part because it is uninterupted. The director didn't try to impose any style. There is no added theme, and there is no added layer of production. And the film couldn't be more perfect. It's a film which allows a glimpse into personalities that we know intimately, but only indirectly through music. It's an honest look, with warmth, and with an uncommon candor. Any jazz fan will know all the names, and may know the biographies of the artists. This film picks up where biographies leave off; it lets legends of jazz speak for themselves, in the comfort of a community joined by shared affection for the music. If you care about jazz, and haven't seen this movie, see it now.
Rating:
Summary: very good.
Review: yeah both these are good but its really all about the photo. great to see some of milt hinton's cine footage from the day and other fotos too. the stories are all good from the musicians interviewed even if the photographer does come across a bit of a pratt sometimes. well worth it if you are a jazz fan or appreciate modern history.
Rating:
Summary: very good.
Review: yeah both these are good but its really all about the photo. great to see some of milt hinton's cine footage from the day and other fotos too. the stories are all good from the musicians interviewed even if the photographer does come across a bit of a pratt sometimes. well worth it if you are a jazz fan or appreciate modern history.
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