Thelonious Monk Movies
Great jazz pianist-composer who appeared in Jazz on a Summer's Day (1960). ~ All Movie Guide- 2008
Pannonica de Koenigswarter was a woman who grew up surrounded by wealth and privilege -- she was a member of the Rothschild family, one of the most powerful names in British banking and politics, and she was heir to a significant portion of the Rothschild fortune. However, while in New York en route to meet her husband, Pannonica heard a recording of "Round Midnight" by Thelonious Monk and was transfixed by its beauty and emotional power. Pannonica cancelled a flight home so she could listen to more of Monk's music, and eventually she tracked down the musician in 1954, striking up a close friendship that stopped just short of a love affair. Monk even wrote a tune for her, "Pannonica", and she became a passionate supporter of American jazz, befriending a number of leading musicians (including Charlie Parker), letting them stay in her home, helping them find gigs and using her wealth to subsidize their art. However, Pannonica's close friendships with African-Americans did not sit well with many in the rarified social circles she was accustomed to, and she also suffered from mental illness that became pronounced in the later years of her life. Filmmaker Hannah Rothschild, Pannonica's great-niece, offers a compelling portrait of a woman who became an unlikely patron of the arts in the documentary The Jazz Baroness. Featuring narration by Helen Mirren and interviews with Quincy Jones, Sonny Rollins, Archie Shepp and T.S. Monk Jr., The Jazz Baroness was produced for British television and was an official selection at Toronto's 2009 Hot Docs Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2005
- Add Jazz Shots from the East Coast, Vol. 1 to QueueAdd Jazz Shots from the East Coast, Vol. 1 to top of Queue
Jazz Shots from the East Coast, Vol. 1 offers a collection of musical performances by artists associated with the East Coast jazz scene. The release includes appearances by artists as diverse as Duke Ellington, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, and Roland Kirk. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1997
- Add Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz to QueueAdd Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz to top of Queue
Blue Note Records was founded in the 1930s and has played a vital role in the development of jazz for more than 60 years. Important works by some of the greatest jazz musicians in history -- John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and many others -- were recorded on the Blue Note label. The company's founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, both loved jazz (especially jazz with a bluesy element) and had true respect for the musicians with whom they worked. Featuring appearances by many artists -- and memorable music recorded in the Blue Note studios throughout the years -- this documentary explores the evolution of the genre, while telling the story of a company that marked an important period in music history. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Belden, Joachim Ernst Berendt, (more)
- 1994
- Add On the Road with Jack Kerouac: King of the Beats to QueueAdd On the Road with Jack Kerouac: King of the Beats to top of Queue
Jack Kerouac penned such books as On the Road and The Dharma Bums, which captured the essence of the bohemian life that he came to personify. This documentary follows him on the road from the life of a beatnik in New York City, and across the country to California, as he set out to find America and himself. Archival photographs, film clips, interviews with those who knew him, readings from his books, and scholarly commentary provide insight into this icon of the Beat generation. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1993
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Thelonious Monk: American Composer travels with the jazz master across the world. Presenting concerts in Europe, Japan, and America, Monk proved his genius time and time again. His reputation as one of the finest jazz composers and musicians of his day was based on very well-received releases. The pianist established himself early on and waited for his style to be recognized. When it was, critics and fans alike praised Monk for his innovation. This one-hour release is filled with recollections of the complex composer by his former students Randy Weston, Barry Harris, and Billy Taylor, and his children, Thelonious Monk Jr. and Marion Monk. The archival footage accompanies Monk's best-known tunes including "'Round Midnight," "Just a Gigolo," "Blue Monk," and "Lulu's Back in Town." ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This vintage collection of great jazz moments include the Count Bassie Orchestra, Billie Holiday, Theolonius Monk Trio, Coleman Hawkins and many, many more! ~ All Movie Guide
- 1991
- Add Masters of American Music: The Story of Jazz to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: The Story of Jazz to top of Queue
This video documents the evolution of jazz. It began in 19th century New Orleans, where the slaves first introduced the rhythms of African music. Story of Jazz follows the developement of jazz music from the blending together of African rhythms, European and American folk, and classical styles. Included are performances by: Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Willie "the Lion" Smith, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmie Lunceford, Louis Armstrong, Charles Mingus, Count Bassie, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Gil Evans, and Sara Vaughan. Rare film clips, vintage footage, and photo's complete this indepth look at Jazz. ~ Beth Deki, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Nouvelle Vague marks the beginning of a period in Jean-Luc Godard's career in which he made films that looked back on his previous work. In these retrospective films, Godard asked himself whether it is possible to continue as a film director under the conditions imposed by international commercial cinema. Appropriately enough, Nouvelle Vague concerns the return of a man (Roger Lennox / Richard Lennox, played by Alain Delon, superstar of 60s and 70s international cinema) who may or may not have returned from the dead. The film's narrative is extremely disjointed and might be better understood as an essay on the idea of returning. The theme of a return from the dead gives Godard the opportunity to come back to the religious imagery and theological considerations that interested him from 1983's Hail Mary. The film's dialogue is a patchwork of unattributed quotations from works of literature, philosophy, and economics, a technique that Godard adopted in most of his films after this one. Even if the film's "story" is not easy to understand, the beauty of its images and sounds, along with the sublime rhythms of the editing, may be enough to ravish some audiences. ~ Louis Schwartz, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alain Delon, Domiziana Giordano, (more)
- 199z
A profile of Thelonious Monk, the great jazz composer/pianist is the focus in this video. Includes tunes like "Just You, Just Me," "Ruby, My Dear" and many others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1989
Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy ranks alongside Sidney Bechet and John Coltrane as one of the few who permanently reshaped and reworked Dixieland music by contemporizing it in a postmodern vein. With his reassessments and reinventions of such Dixieland tunes as "Work," "Played Twice," and "Criss Cross" by Thelonious Monk and self-penned standards such as "Blinks," "Capers," "Clichés," and "Troubles,"Lacy laid the groundwork, stylistically, for innumerable later players and left in his wake a treasure trove for generations of listeners upon his death in 2004. Lacy is the center of the film Steve Lacy: Lift the Bandstand, which draws from interviews with Lacy himself -- as he expostulates on his place in the jazz realm and his contributions to the medium -- and rare archival footage of Lacy in performance. By juxtaposing extended clips of such luminaries as Bechet, Coltrane, Monk, and Gil Evans and Cecil Taylor, Bandstand reflects on Lacy's stylistic and professional relationship to those individuals. It also features extended discussions (and live melodic demonstrations) of the emotional and philosophical undercurrents that underlie Lacy's music. Additional collaborators and friends who appear here include Irene Aebi, Bobby Few, Steve Potts, Jean-Jacques Avenel, and Oliver Johnson. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 1987
In the U.S., in the 1950s, contemporary jazz was becoming more and more esoteric, and a small group of writers, poets and musicians who were hip to that beat were exploring the cracks in the American dream. Meanwhile, the Cold War and insistently cheerful and upbeat attitudes were being promoted by Dale Carnegie and his many imitators. America was never so prosperous, so virtuous, or so happy, and the writers and artists of the Beat generation were among the first to see the worm in that particular apple. Because so many of them couldn't get enthusiastic about the Cold War, they were derisively called "beatniks," the "nik" being an imitation Russian diminutive. In this 1980s documentary, surviving eminences from that period discuss the times and their experiences. Among those appearing are Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac's daughter and wife, William S. Burroughs, Amiri Baraka (a.k.a. LeRoi Jones) and others, while archival footage gives viewers a taste of other greats of the period. The former Tonight Show host and author Steve Allen narrates. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Amram, Amiri Baraka, (more)
- 1987
This video celebrates the lives and music of some of America's most talented jazz pianists. The program is hosted by Chick Corea, himself a piano master. He takes the viewer on a trip through times and styles of keyboard artists. There is the elegant piano style of Art Tatum, as well that of musical giants Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The keyboard artistry of Fats Waller, whose catchy lyrics sometimes overshadowed his piano genius, is another highlight. Modern masters including McCoy Tyner and Thelonious Monk are also featured. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1987
- R
- Add Masters of American Music: Celebrating Bird - The Triumph of Charlie Parker to QueueAdd Masters of American Music: Celebrating Bird - The Triumph of Charlie Parker to top of Queue
One year before the Clint Eastwood-directed Bird, Gary Giddins likewise covered the life and work of jazz great Charlie "Bird" Parker in this absorbing documentary. Rare filmclips of Parker in action on the alto and tenor sax are intertwined with the live reminiscences of his contemporaries. Among those interviewed are Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. As a bonus, we see them in performance as well (and there are many, many bonuses in this film). As the title indicates, this is a celebration of Bird's life, though one cannot help but come away from the film grieving over Parker's premature death at age 34 in 1955. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A French music lover befriends a once-great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self-destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner, a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures, including Bud Powell and Lester Young. Largely forgotten in his home country, Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler (Francois Cluzet), a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side, including his struggles with alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. Fearing for the musician's life, the fan becomes his caretaker, an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world, with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock. 'Round Midnight's greatest asset, however, is Gordon's Academy Award-nominated performance, informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, (more)
- 1985
A collection of music, interviews and live footage is featured in this coverage of Monk's career. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1959
Pierre Ambroise Francois Choderlos de Laclos's 18th century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses was filmed several times. In Roger Vadim's version, Jeanne Moreau coerces her husband Gerard Philippe into ruining the reputation of pious Annette Vadim (the director's wife at the time). Philippe spoils Moreau's nasty little plan by falling in love with his intended victim. While the novel merely humiliated Moreau's character for her misdeeds, Vadim comes up with a far more painful and permanent punishment. Since the release of the 1988 Dangerous Liaisons, Vadim's film has travelled under the title Dangerous Liaisons 1960 (even though it was technically completed in 1959, and released to the U.S. in 1961). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gérard Philipe, Jeanne Moreau, (more)
Jazz on a Summer's Day is a priceless record of the 1958 Jazz Festival at Newport, Rhode Island. It just doesn't get better than this. We see Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Dinah Washington, Chuck Berry, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing, Jack Teagarden, Sonny Stitt, Chico Hamilton, Anita O'Day and Big Maybelle, so we'd stay glued to the screen even if the film was poorly made. But it isn't: director Bert Stern not only does a masterful job of filming these imperishable greats at their very best, but he manages to make the whole enterprise fascinatingly fluid and thoroughly cinematic. Even non-jazz buffs will be exhilarated by Jazz on a Summer's Day. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
