Jazz In Film
Harlem Nights: 1989 film written and directed by Eddie Murphy also stars Murphy, Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Danny Aiello, Della Reese, Stan Shaw, Jasmine Guy, Lela Rochon and Arsenio Hall.
The Story:Sugar Ray is the owns an illegal casino, who contend with the pressures of a ruthless gangster, corrupt policemen and a sultry siren who want to take a huge percentage of his earnings and put him out of business. To escape the carnage of the Roaring Twenties, Ray and his crew must pull off the greatest con of their lives.
The Music: Original music score by pianist & composer Herbie Hancock. Contributing composers Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Walter G. Samuels, Leonard Whitcup, Teddy Powell, Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow, Arthur Altman, James Cavanaugh, Barney Bigard, Count Basie, Reginald De Koven, Clement W. Scott, Jararaca, Vincente Paiva, Albert Stillman
Soundtrack: Just One More Chance, Black Beauty, Drop Me Off In Harlem, That Gal From Joe’s, Heaven Help This Heart Of Mine, It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing), Just One More Chance, Long Time No See, Mama Eu Quero, Mood Indigo, Oh Promise Me, One O’Clock Jump, Sophisticated Lady, Take My Heart,
Performers: Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Clark, Eddy Duchin, The Andrew Sisters, John McCormick, Buddy Clark, Nat Brandywynne, Duke Ellington, Count Basie
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Requisites
Jazz At The Blackhawk: The quartet that Cal Tjader kept together during 1956-57 was devoted to straight-ahead jazz. His Latin fans found ample consolation in the enjoyment of one of the most swinging groups the vibra-harpist ever led. This set was captured at The Blackhawk in San Francisco with an audience that actually got the sound and inspired the players.
Personnel: Cal Tjader – vibes, Vince Guaraldi – piano, Gene Wright – bass, Al Torre – drums
Record Date: Live at the Blackhawk, San Francisco / January 20, 1957
Songs: Bill B., Land’s End, I’ll Remember April, Blues In The Night, Thinking Of You, MJQ, I’ve Never Been In Love Before, Two For Blues Suite, When The Sun Comes Out, Lover, Come Back To Me
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Jazz In Film
Bullitt: This 1968 crisp, technically assured thriller was directed by Peter Yates and starred Steve McQueen, Jacqueline Bisset and Robert Vaughn. The story follows an all guts, no glory San Francisco cop who becomes determined to find the underworld kingpin that killed the witness in his protection. The film featured violent deaths, one of the best car chases in film history and a self-conscious message.
The modernistic music score was composed and conducted by Lalo Schifrin with Howard Roberts – guitar, Bud Shank – flute, Mike Melvoin – piano, Ray Brown – bass, Larry Bunker – drums, Bud Brisbois – trumpet and Milt Bernhart – trombone.
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Requisites
Speak No Evil: This 1964 release by Wayne Shorter has been considered as one of his finer works and a “must have” for the serious collector. As he was in Miles Davis’ band at the time, this album did not receive the welcome it so deserved.
Personnel: Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone, Freddie Hubbard – trumpet, Herbie Hancock – piano, Ron Carter – bass, Elvin Jones – drums
Recorded by: Rudy Van Gelder
Record Date: Blue Note – December 24, 1964
Cover: Photograph of Wayne Shorter and his first wife, Teruka Nakagami
Songs: Witch Hunt, Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum, Dance Cadaverous, Speak No Evil, Infant Eyes, Wild Flower
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Jazz In Film
Play Misty For Me: This 1971 film directed by Clint Eastwood tells the story of a brief fling between a male disc jockey and an obsessed female fan takes a frightening, and perhaps even deadly turn when another woman enters the picture.
Stars: Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, John Larch, James McEachin, Irene Hervey
Music: Misty – Composed and performed by Erroll Garner; The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Written by Ewan MacColl and performed by Roberta Flack; and Country Preacher – composed by Joseph Zawinul and performed by Cannonball Adderley
The song, The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face was popularized by Roberta Flack in 1972 in a version that became a breakout hit for the singer. The song first appeared on Flack’s 1969 album First Take. Flack’s rendition was much slower than the original as an early solo recording by Seeger ran two and a half minutes long whereas Flack’s is more than twice that length.
This slower, more sensual version was used by Clint Eastwood in his 1971 directorial debut Play Misty for Me during a lovemaking scene. With the new exposure, Atlantic Records cut the song down to four minutes and released it to radio. It became an extremely successful single in the United States where it reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Easy Listening charts in April 1972 for six week runs on each.[3] It reached #14 on the UK Singles Chart.
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