The Jazz Radio Network
Gangsters, Politicians and Jazz
I am what you call an amateur movie critic. I love movies and have seen a far bit, enough to know what I like and don't like. I also see what is missing in recent films... the Jazz life.
What is the Jazz life? A celebration of Jazz culture, the music, the musicians, the cafe's, the clubs...anything that is connected with this 100 plus year old music. This is what has been missing in movies lately. I can't think of a single recent film (from a major studio release) that features anything remotely to do with Jazz. So what is a Jazz lover to do? Go to the archives!
I did so recently...I went to my DVD vault (aka Netflix) and ordered online - "Kansas City" a film by Robert Altman that all Jazz Lovers should view (if not own). If you saw the Robert Altman feature when it was released in 1996 - then you know what I am talking about. Gangsters, Politicians and Jazz...what could be better. The film takes us back to the 1930's when the Kansas City Jazz Life was alive and kickin'. In the tale a young woman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who is obsessed with movies in general and Jean Harlow in particular kidnaps the wife (Miranda Richardson) of a prominent Kansas City politician in an effort to free her man (Dermont Mulroney) who has crossed the path of vicious gangster/philosopher Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte).
Seldom Seen runs a Jazz club that is hosting a major gambling event, where suckers from all over the mid-west travel once a year to try "Lady Luck", when one of his prize gamblers is robbed the moment he hits town. Seldom smells a rat. Seldom Seen is portrayed with elegant evilness by Harry Belfonte in one of his last great performances(Oscar worthy in my opinion).
Race, Class, morality and politics all collide in this dreamy film in which Harry Belfonte along side an All Star Jazz Line Up (including Nicholas Payton, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter, Geri Allen and more) set the mood and philosophical tone of this wonderful film. As in life, everyone in this tale gets what he or she deserves - yet fittingly by the end of this film, there is only one truth - music. Like Ziggy Marley said..."When The Lights gone out and the food run out...when there's no justice to be found....we'll have the music".
Do yourself some good and take a trip back to 1930 with Count Basie, Lester Young and Jimmy Rushing...in "Kansas City" available on DVD via Netflix.
What is the Jazz life? A celebration of Jazz culture, the music, the musicians, the cafe's, the clubs...anything that is connected with this 100 plus year old music. This is what has been missing in movies lately. I can't think of a single recent film (from a major studio release) that features anything remotely to do with Jazz. So what is a Jazz lover to do? Go to the archives!
I did so recently...I went to my DVD vault (aka Netflix) and ordered online - "Kansas City" a film by Robert Altman that all Jazz Lovers should view (if not own). If you saw the Robert Altman feature when it was released in 1996 - then you know what I am talking about. Gangsters, Politicians and Jazz...what could be better. The film takes us back to the 1930's when the Kansas City Jazz Life was alive and kickin'. In the tale a young woman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who is obsessed with movies in general and Jean Harlow in particular kidnaps the wife (Miranda Richardson) of a prominent Kansas City politician in an effort to free her man (Dermont Mulroney) who has crossed the path of vicious gangster/philosopher Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte).
Seldom Seen runs a Jazz club that is hosting a major gambling event, where suckers from all over the mid-west travel once a year to try "Lady Luck", when one of his prize gamblers is robbed the moment he hits town. Seldom smells a rat. Seldom Seen is portrayed with elegant evilness by Harry Belfonte in one of his last great performances(Oscar worthy in my opinion).
Race, Class, morality and politics all collide in this dreamy film in which Harry Belfonte along side an All Star Jazz Line Up (including Nicholas Payton, Joshua Redman, Ron Carter, Geri Allen and more) set the mood and philosophical tone of this wonderful film. As in life, everyone in this tale gets what he or she deserves - yet fittingly by the end of this film, there is only one truth - music. Like Ziggy Marley said..."When The Lights gone out and the food run out...when there's no justice to be found....we'll have the music".
Do yourself some good and take a trip back to 1930 with Count Basie, Lester Young and Jimmy Rushing...in "Kansas City" available on DVD via Netflix.
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© 2012 Created by Richard Gold.
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