DocumentaryMusic

Jammin' the Blues

In this short film, prominent jazz musicians of the 1940s gather for a rare filming of a jam session. This highly stylized chronicle features tenor sax legend Lester Young.

Release Date : 1944-05-05

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Self - on Tenor Sax

Original Name : Lester Young

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Bass

Original Name : George 'Red' Callender

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Trumpet

Original Name : Harry Edison

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Piano

Original Name : Marlowe Morris

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Drums

Original Name : Sidney Catlett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Guitar

Original Name : Barney Kessel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Drums

Original Name : Jo Jones

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Bass

Original Name : John Simmons

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - on Tenor Sax

Original Name : Illinois Jacquet

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Singer and Dancer

Original Name : Marie Bryant

Gender : Male

Character Name : Self - Dancer

Original Name : Archie Savage

Gender : Male

Character Name : Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Original Name : Knox Manning

Gender : Male

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2024-02-08

Luckily, the narration merely introduces the concept of the "midnight symphony" before it leaves us in peace to enjoy ten minutes of smoky, sophisticated and moody saxophone (Lester Young), trumpet, double bass and piano infused jazz - with a gentle accompaniment from the pace-setting drums and with each getting their moment to shine in a seamless montage of instrumental music before a sexy rendition of "The Sunny Side of the Street" from Marie Bryant kicks in to put some filling in the sandwich. Then, for a closing, we see a slightly more stylised and deliberate production of an improvised number that brings in a bit of jitterbug and some more fine guitar and sax work. It sure gets your toes tapping - and it's a great and varied jam. It's filmed with next to no wattage from the lights, and in a pall of cigarette smoke and that does wonders for the atmosphere here. Simple photography that lets the talent do the talking.