Runtime: 83 minutes
Directed by: Bert Stern
Starring: An incredible lineup of artists
From: Galaxy Productions/Raven Film
Late last night this played on Turner Classic Movies as a tribute to Black performers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States. It was a documentary filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. It alongside the companion Newport Folk Festival has been around for decades, although not always in Newport... but that'd take way too long to explain here. As qualifications for the America's Cup sailing competition took place in the area at the same time, the first half of this would occasionally showcase that as the musicians played their tunes. For some reason, some time was also spent showing some random white dudes in a random band playing Dixieland jazz outdoors in random locations around Newport, and once in a 1920's roadster. The yachting footage is one thing but I would have preferred more of the legends on display and less random white band.
All that being said, I can say that this is very good; look at the talent that appeared here: Louie Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Mahalia Jackson (this festival did not just showcase jazz), Chuck Berry, and Thelonious Monk. 50's jazz is a field I need to do a deep dive on as I've enjoyed what little I've heard in my lifetime. It was a treat seeing all those legends captured live; also noteworthy is the talent which did not appear here, perhaps because some of them were “too wild.” That includes the Miles Davis Quintet-which had John Coltrane at the time-Dave Brubeck, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Joe Turner, and Ray Charles... who admittedly was just on the cusp of reaching crossover success. I'd love to time travel and attend all four days of that festival.
Frequent crowd shots not only showed the audience & the respect they had for the diverse group of talent performing, some stellar late 50's fashion was also on display. The crowd also had a bit of diversity, although it was mainly “the whites” who comprised those in attendance. Personally, I always enjoy the phenomenon of “White People Dancing”, which is my joy at seeing white people attempt to dance despite a distinct deficiency of rhythm. It was amusing to see that in Jazz on a Summer's Day. Even with my light criticism and my desire for this to be longer than 83 minutes, overall this was a documentary I was still glad to see... and also hear due to its aural delights. If you're huge fans of jazz and/or gospel, this is a must-watch.
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