Jammin' the Blues
In this short film, prominent jazz musicians of the 1940s gather for a rare filming of a jam session. This highly stylized chronicle features tenor sax legend Lester Young.
Documentary
Music
6.9
30 reviewsRuntime: 10 min.
Budget: N/A
Revenue: N/A
Release Date: 1944-05-05
Director(s): Gjon Mili
Production: Warner Bros. Pictures
Languages: English
IMDB: tt0036968
Cast
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Reviews
CinemaSerf★ 7/102/8/2024
Luckily, the narration merely introduces the concept of the "midnight symphony" before it leaves us in peace to enjoy ten minutes of smoky, sophisticated and moody saxophone (Lester Young), trumpet, double bass and piano infused jazz - with a gentle accompaniment from the pace-setting drums and with each getting their moment to shine in a seamless montage of instrumental music before a sexy rendition of "The Sunny Side of the Street" from Marie Bryant kicks in to put some filling in the sandwich. Then, for a closing, we see a slightly more stylised and deliberate production of an improvised number that brings in a bit of jitterbug and some more fine guitar and sax work. It sure gets your toes tapping - and it's a great and varied jam. It's filmed with next to no wattage from the lights, and in a pall of cigarette smoke and that does wonders for the atmosphere here. Simple photography that lets the talent do the talking.