Jammin' the Blues
| Jammin' the Blues | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Gjon Mili |
| Produced by | Gordon Hollingshead |
| Narrated by | Knox Manning |
| Cinematography | Robert Burks[1] |
| Edited by | Everett Dodd |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 10 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
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Jammin' the Blues is a 1944 American short film made by Gjon Mili and Norman Granz in which a number of prominent jazz musicians re-create the jam-session atmosphere of nightclubs and after-hours spots. Considered innovative at the time of its release, the film served as a platform for showcasing emerging musicians and artists who had limited opportunities for mainstream exposure.
The film features Lester Young, Red Callender, Harry Edison, Marlowe Morris, Sid Catlett, Barney Kessel, Jo Jones, John Simmons, Illinois Jacquet, Marie Bryant and Archie Savage.[2]
Plot
The short film is a jam session featuring several African American jazz performers, including saxophonist Lester Young, vocalist Marie Bryant, and dancer Archie Savage, who performs the jitterbug in a dimly lit setting that reflects the tone of the music.
Cast
- Lester Young – Tenor saxophone
- Red Callender – Bass
- Harry "Sweets" Edison – Trumpet
- Marlowe Morris – Piano
- "Big" Sid Catlett – Drums (First two songs, and intro of third)
- Jo Jones – Drums (for final song)
- Barney Kessel – Guitar
- John Simmons – Double bass
- Illinois Jacquet – Tenor saxophone
- Marie Bryant – Vocals and Female Dancer
- Archie Savage – Male Dancer
Songs
- "Midnight Symphony"
- "On the Sunny Side of the Street" – Sung by Marie Bryant
- "Jammin' the Blues"
Production
Gjon Mili and Norman Granz, who was credited as technical director, shot the film over four days with the support of Warner Bros. head of short films, Gordon Hollingshead.[3] Barney Kessel was the only white musician in the film. His hands were stained with berry juice, and he was seated in the shadows to shade his skin.[4][5]
Reception and legacy
Producer Gordon Hollingshead was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Short Subject, One-reel.[6]
In 1995, Jammin' the Blues was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[7][8]
The short was released on DVDs of the films Blues in the Night (1941) and Passage to Marseille (1944), the latter starring Humphrey Bogart.[9][10]
See also
References
- ^ What to Stream This Weekend: Five Standout Oscar-Nominated Shorts|The New Yorker
- ^ AllMusic
- ^ Hershorn, Tad, Norman Granz: the Man who Used Jazz for Justice (Univ. of Calif. Press 2011), p. 66
- ^ Keepnews, Peter (8 May 2004). "Barney Kessel, 80, a Guitarist With Legends of Jazz, Dies". The New York Times.
- ^ Hershorn, p. 69
- ^ "The 17th Academy Awards (1945) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. 4 October 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
- ^ "The 25 Films for '95 (February 5, 1996) – Library of Congress Information Bulletin". www.loc.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
- ^ Blues in the Night: DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video
- ^ Humphrey Bogart – The Signature Collection, Vol.2: DVD Talk of the DVD Video
External links
- Jammin' the Blues at IMDb
- Jammin’ the Blues essay by Daniel Eagan in America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry, A&C Black, 2010 ISBN 0826429777, pages 374–375 [1]