Jazz for aficionados

More Duke.

Ok,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jth1fjSJ59k

BTW, great Ella Duke; especially the small group stuff.

The greatest jazz movie that's ever been made is "Round Midnight", starring "Dexter Gordon". Not only is this the greatest jazz movie that's ever been made, it's probably the greatest jazz movie that ever will be made, along with the greatest soundtrack.

I know you ask; "How can I say such things about a movie"? But if you have to ask that question, you are not an "Aficionado", because all aficionados were talking about this movie for months after it came out. Those who Knew Dexter Gordon personally, said all he had to do was appear in front of the camera as himself, there was no acting, that was "Dexter Gordon".

The movie is about Dale Turner, a famous tenor saxophone player in Paris in the 1950s is befriended by Francis, a struggling French graphic designer specializing in film posters, who idolizes the musician and who tries desperately to help him to escape alcohol abuse. As he succeeds, the budding friendship they develop changes their lives forever.

The director, Bertrand Tavernier, defied the movie studio by insisting that real-life jazz tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon play the role of Turner. Gordon, who himself played with Bud Powell in Paris in the early 1960s, helped to revise and rewrite the script. (The story is loosely based on "Bud Powell" in Paris) The supporting cast is likewise composed of jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, John McLaughlin, and Wayne Shorter.

The soundtrack comes in two records: "Round Midnight" and "The Other Side of Round Midnight" – released under Dexter Gordon's name and featuring his last recordings, although he does not appear on all tracks. Both albums were produced and arranged by Herbie Hancock.

Naturally I have both CD's, and I enjoy them thoroughly. The first, "Round Midnight", is one of the best CD's in my collection.


Herbie Hancock – piano
Ron Carter: bass
Tony Williams – drums
Bobby McFerrin – vocal
Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone
Pierre Michelot – bass
Billy Higgins – drums
John McLaughlin – guitar
Chet Baker – vocal & trumpet
Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
Bobby Hutcherson – vibes
Lonette McKee – vocal
Freddie Hubbard – trumpet
Cedar Walton – piano



Here are some links;


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UazdjAWMocY



    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4nVDKeVxok




Enjoy the music.

"Round Midnight" is a fine film with Dexter giving a pretty amazing performance (for a mere saxophone player 😎), but I'm not prepared to say it's the best ever or that ever will be (maybe I'm not an Aficionado 😱); definitely one of the best 'though.  Too many considerations and different points of view as to what a "jazz movie" should be to give it such an exclusive ranking. For starters, I have a little trouble with the choice of McFerrin on the melody in the title tune; good, but can't get past the "gee-wiz, how clever vibe".  Imo, as good as McFerrin is, I don't think he can "play" (sing) an intricate jazz melody such as this as convincingly as a great horn player.  I can't get past how McFerrin's easily recognized voice quality takes away (for me) from the period authenticity of the movie; not to mention the obvious technical shortcomings in his delivery of the melody (2:11 in the film soundtrack is one example-ouch!) which make it sound a little belabored overall.  Dexter is awesome and the movie is really good overall.  

http://m.ranker.com/list/15-jamming-jazz-movies/konnoisseur411

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/definitive-jazz-movies/

BTW, saw the new "Miles Ahead".  Big disappointment.  Not particulely factual and Miles is portrayed as an almost buffoonish character.  Cheadle's portrayal of Miles, except for a pretty good voice imitation, is not very believable.  

Frogman, according to "Aficionados", Dexter Gordon puts this movies over the top by simply being himself, without acting; in addition to a fantastic jazz track that was sufficient for two records, plus the musicians were the greatest.

While a top actor, and a good script, could make a fantastic jazz movie for the movie going audience; Dexter Gordon signed, sealed, and delivered it for aficionados. That's because they saw a "real" jazz musician, with the idiosyncrasies of a working jazz musician. This is a jazz aficionados movie if there ever was one.

As you stated, "Too many considerations and different points of view as to what a "jazz movie" should be to give it such an exclusive ranking." My ranking was based totally on the music and the musicians who are so very outstanding; "Herby Hancock" is transcendental, and I use that word in the sense that he has been an accomplished performer in so many different genres of jazz, and his stamp is all over the place in that movie.

 "Bobby McFerrin",  is incredible, but I can understand your comparison to him and a horn; while I think he does the impossible, I'm not a horn player.

As far as considerations and points of view, if one simply compares jazz movies, and doesn't put so much emphasis on the music; "Paris Blues" was a better movie, and it dealt with the same subject "Expatriates".

"Miles Davis" is an "Enigma"; while I never met the man, some of the people in his autobiography are related to me, and they were his best friends. The Miles they knew, has no relation to the Miles the public has been presented. Just like his music, it's all about "which" Miles are you speaking of? That was an impossible movie to make.




Enjoy the music.