Living with Imperfection – Ran Blake (Documentary film by Antoine Polin, 2021, 67mins. Review by Jon Turney) The critic Eric Thacker once suggested Ran Blake’s music, especially music evoked by movies, was […]
‘Living with Imperfection – Ran Blake’
‘Walking the Changes: Legends of Double Bass in Jazz’
Walking the Changes: Legends of Double Bass in Jazz (Film documentary directed and produced by Nick Wells. Review by Mary James) A labour of love, almost by definition, takes a long time […]
BIX: “ain’t none of them play like him yet”
BIX: “ain’t none of them play like him yet” (Restoration Screening and Q&A/Interview. Film Forum, NYC. 6 August 2021. Review by Dan Bergsagel) “The world is full of eminent musicians deserving of […]
‘Summer of Soul’
Summer of Soul (Film Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Film review by Peter Jones) Rating 12A, 117mins From July 16 in cinemas and from July 30 on Disney+ By now you have […]
‘Love Longing Loss: At Home with Charles Lloyd During Isolation’
Love Longing Loss: At Home with Charles Lloyd During Isolation (Available to watch until 11 June 2021 – link below) (Film documented by Dorothy Darr. 62 minutes. Film review by Sebastian Scotney) […]
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Dir. Lee Daniels, with Andra Day. Hulu/ Sky Movies)
The United States vs. Billie Holiday (Director Lee Daniels, starring Andra Day. Hulu/ Sky Movies. 137 mins. Review by John Bungey) A visceral account of the hounding of the singer by the […]
‘Motian in Motion’ (Doc ‘n Roll Festival/BFI)
Motian in Motion (Film directed by Michael Patrick Kelly. Aquapio Films. 86 minutes. Review by Jon Turney) UPDATE 5 January 2020 via Twitter from DocnRoll Fest: “England going into another full lockdown […]
‘Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music’, directed by Michael Murphy
Up From The Streets: New Orleans: The City of Music (Mercury Studios/ Michael Murphy Productions. 104 minutes. Film Review by Sandy Burnett) It hits you from the moment you touch down on […]
Émile Parisien and Vincent Peirani – ‘Live in Paris’ (2020 EFG LJF)
Émile Parisien and Vincent Peirani – Live in Paris (Youtube film premiere, 17 November 2020. EFG London Jazz Festival. Review* by Jon Turney) WOW! Say more (Ed) Hell yeah. Not really helping. […]
‘Billie’ – Documentary Film, Directed by James Erskine
Billie (Documentary Film, directed by James Erskine. New Black Films. 96 Minutes. Film review by Tessa Souter) It is a testament to the depth and emotional intensity of Billie Holiday’s artistry that, […]
“Ronnie’s” (at Everyman Cinemas from 23 October)
Ronnie’s (Documentary film directed by Oliver Murray for Goldfinch. 106 minutes. Review by Louise Jury) Watching the new feature-length documentary, Ronnie’s, about the man and the legendary Soho jazz club he founded, […]
“Rodney P’s Jazz Funk”
Rodney P’s Jazz Funk (BBC Four. Filmed and directed by Denise Alder. Broadcast on 24 July 2020. Review by Brian Blain) Rapper Rodney P Edwards’ Jazz Funk, shown recently on BBC Four, […]
The Eddy – Netflix drama
The Eddy (Netflix. TV review by Peter Jones) The Eddy is an eight-part drama series set in and around a jazz club in Paris called, yes, The Eddy. The show’s American director […]
Buster Williams: Bass to Infinity film premiere in NYC
Buster Williams: Bass to Infinity (World Premiere at IFC center, part of DOC NYC. 12 November 2019. Review by Dan Bergsagel) By most accounts the story of Buster Williams should have been […]
Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool – UK Premiere at London Film Festival
Miles Davis: Birth Of The Cool – UK Premiere at London Film Festival Director: Stanley Nelson (Eagle Rock/Firelight Films/American Masters Pictures/BBC Music. Film review by Adam Sieff) When a really great music documentary comes […]
News, reviews, features and comment from the London jazz scene and beyond 