Jack, Lucinda, and I loved this documentary about the seminal jazz pianist, one of the founders of be-bop. It was screened last month as part of our city's celebration of the Harlem Renaissance. Musicians and non-musicians alike in our theatre appreciated his unique technique.
Director Charlotte Zwerin (1931-2004) (I didn't see her other work) collected impressive live footage of Monk (1917-1982) and combined it with historical data and interviews to make a compelling 90 minute biography of one of my jazz idols.
Some of my other favorite musicians in the movie are saxophonists John Coltrane and Phil Woods, and pianist Tommy Flanagan. The original score is by Dick Hyman (his other work includes Zelig (1983), The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985), and Moonstruck (1987)). Here's a list of some of the songs in the movie.
I have on both vinyl and digitally Monk's album Underground, which you can stream in its entirety. Be sure to look at the wonderful album cover as well.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics average out at 83% and its audiences 89, thirty years after initial release. You can watch the whole thing, in five parts, beginning with this page. Or you can rent or buy it from iTunes.
No comments:
Post a Comment