The Cry of Jazz (1959)
Filmed in Chicago & finished in 1959, The Cry of Jazz is filmmaker, composer and arranger Edward O. Bland's polemical essay on the politics of music and race - a forecast of what he called "the death of jazz." A landmark moment in black film, foreseeing the civil unrest of subsequent decades, it also features the only known footage of visionary pianist Sun Ra from his beloved Chicago period. Featured are ample images of tenor saxophonist John Gilmore and the rest of Ra's Arkestra in Windy City nightclubs, all shot in glorious black & white.
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George WallerAlex JohnsonDorothea HortonNatalie
Melinda DillonFayeLeroy InmanLouisJames MillerBobGavin McFadyanBruceCarl DupreeGoldina RojasAlan LeavittCarl McCormackLettie Mae Randolph
Andrew DuncanJohnKeywords
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Viewing momentFrequently asked questions about The Cry of Jazz
What is The Cry of Jazz about?
Filmed in Chicago & finished in 1959, The Cry of Jazz is filmmaker, composer and arranger Edward O. Bland's polemical essay on the politics of music and race - a forecast of what he called "the death of jazz." A landmark moment in black film, foreseeing the civil unrest of subsequent decades, it also features the only known footage of visionary pianist Sun Ra from his beloved Chicago period. Featured are ample images of tenor saxophonist John Gilmore and the rest of Ra's Arkestra in Windy City nightclubs, all shot in glorious black & white.
How long is The Cry of Jazz?
The Cry of Jazz has a runtime of 34 minutes.
Where can I watch The Cry of Jazz?
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