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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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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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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Jazz In Film
BOOM! Tennessee Williams penned the play and this 1968 screenplay adaptation of his play was directed by Joseph Losey and starred Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noel Coward.
The film explores the confrontation between the wealthiest woman in the world who has everything including emptiness, and a penniless poet who has nothing but the ability to fill a wealthy woman’s needs.
Music for the song Hideaway composed by clarinetist and saxophonist John Dankworth. The soundtrack was composed by John Barry.
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Jazz In Film
The Andromeda Strain: This 1971 film adaptation of the Michael Crichton novel follows a group of scientists investigate a deadly new alien virus before it can spread. Directed by Robert Wise, stars James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, Kate Reid and Paula Kelly.
The music score provided by tenor/baritone saxophonist and film composer Gil Melle.
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