Beautifully shot concert documentary of some of the greatest in jazz in 1958.
What really makes me love this film, is how the director lingers over all the white people boating/eating/talking/looking disinterested, as all the black people onstage sweat and play their hearts out. A great dichotomy that I’m still not sure if the director meant to emphasize.
Plus, in 1958, just looking at all the hep clothing is reason enough to give this a view.
Here’s the blurb from Netflix:
Filmed at the 1958 Jazz Festival at Newport, Rhode Island, this easygoing documentary affords an intimate, atmospheric glimpse of a historically significant musical event. Performing at the festival were jazz heavyweights such as Louis Armstrong, Chuck Berry, Thelonious Monk, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, Gerry Mulligan and Anita O’Day. Fascinating viewing for jazz and documentary fans alike.
