Robert Altman's Jazz '34

Robert Altman's Jazz '34. (VHS Video) ** By Harry Belafonte. Video. Rhapsody Films #745475904131. Published by Rhapsody Films.

Featuring Jesse Davis, David “Fathead” Newman, Ron Carter, Christian McBride, Tyrone Clark, Don Byron, Russel Malone, Mark Whitfield, Victor Lewis, Geri Allen, Cyrus Chesnut, James Carter, Craig Handy, David Murray, Joshua Redman, Curtis Fowlkes, Clark Gayton, Olu Dara, Nicholas Payton, James Zollar, Kevin Mahogany.

“In the midst of making his film Kansas City, Robert Altman decided to recreate an all-night jam session as it might have taken place in a Kansas City club during the Depression era. The city, Mr. Altman's hometown, was a magnet for great jazz musicians. Mr. Altman, who was 9 years old in 1934, places his film in the Hey Hey Club, letting the musicians rule triumphantly. The music, covering composers from Count Basie to Duke Ellington, is toe-tapingly seductive. In no time at all, it's easy to forget that this is not some archival film but a modern reinterpretation of classic jazz with enormously talented musicians of today. There is a 'battle of the saxes,' which actually took place between the legendary tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. The recreation by Craig Handy and Joshua Redman is nothing short of thrilling.” – John J. O'Connor, The New York Times. 75 minutes.

Songs performed include: Tickle Toe • Indiana • Solitude • Blues in the Dark • Prince of Wails • Froggy Bottom • Harvard Blues • King Porter Stomp • Lafayette • Lullaby of the Leaves • Piano Boogie • Pagin' the Devil • Moten Swing • Queer Notions • Yeah Man. 75 minutes.