Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959) ( Bert Stern's Jazz on a Summer's Day )

Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959) (DVD) (*)

~~$20.99~~ $14.97

Original Title: Bert Stern's Jazz on a Summer's Day
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
French ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
France ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
79 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Featurette
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Trailer(s)
Black & White
Remastered

Movie filmed in 1959 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Aram Avakian
Bert Stern

Written By:
Albert D'Annibale
Arnold Perl

Actors:
Jimmy Giuffre ..... Himself
Thelonious Monk ..... Himself
Henry Grimes ..... Himself
Sonny Stitt ..... Himself
Sal Salvador ..... Himself
Anita O'Day ..... Herself
George Shearing ..... Himself
Dinah Washington ..... Herself
Gerry Mulligan ..... Himself
Big Maybelle ..... Herself
Chuck Berry ..... Himself
Chico Hamilton ..... Himself
Louis Armstrong ..... Himself
Jack Teagarden ..... Himself
Mahalia Jackson ..... Herself

Synopsis:

In 1958, celebrated photographer Bert Stern was inspired by a friend to "take pictures" of the Newport Jazz Festival. Following a turn of events, Stern decided to produce a full fledged motion picture. It would become his only film. By breaking many cinematic taboos, Stern recreated the look of his still photography into motion with a dazzling display of rich human observation and some of the most remarkable scenes of live jazz ever brought to the screen. When it premiered at the Venice Film Festival rumours of an American "New Wave" swirled. Although the principle emphasis of JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY is on the performances of such legendary artists as Louis Armstrong, Anita O'Day, Mahalis Jackson, and Thelonious Monk, Stern's camera also fills us with illuminating images of America at its best. Whether it's a birds eye view of the rich in their yachts or young from Brooklyn on a tour of Newport's picturesque streets and beaches, this is more than just a jazz film, it's the film of an era.

Although not released until 1960, this feature-length documentary captures all the highlights of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival -- opening with scenes of workers putting finishing touches on the stage shell and a jalopy carrying a Dixieland band through town. The musical numbers are intercut with Newport Harbor, Narragansett Bay and white-sailed yachts over the bay during the 1958 America's Cup Trials. Reviewing what was reportedly more than 100,000 feet of exposed negative color stock, Bert Stern realized he was lacking audience shots. So in his studio, Stern set up chairs and benches over fake funeral grass, invited jazz critic Martin Williams and others to the studio -- and filmed their reactions as they looked at a rough cut.

Set at the Newport jazz festival in 1958, this documentary mixes images of water and the town with performers and audience. The film progresses from day to night and from improvisational music to Gospel. It's a concert film that suggests peace and leisure, jazz at a particular time and place.

This product was added to our catalog on Friday 02 June, 2023.