Subgenre Sampler

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Soul (2020): Dir. Pete Docter; Cosmic adventure from Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Pete Docter (INSIDE OUT). Jamie Foxx voices a middle–school music teacher whose…
Hitsville: The Making of Motown (2019): Dir. Benjamin Turner, Gabe Turner
Feat. Diana Ross; The story of Motown Records told through interviews with the label's visionary founder, Berry Gordy, and many of its superstar artists and creative…
Buena Vista Social Club: Adios (2017): Dir. Lucy Walker; Taking up sixteen years after the original documentary, this sequel follows the five original band members from the Buena Vista Social Club on their…
Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2017): Dir. Lili Fini Zanuck; An unflinching and deeply personal look into the life of blues–rock and guitar legend Eric Clapton, told through his own words and songs and…
Sidemen (Sidemen: Long Road to Glory) (2016): Dir. Scott D. Rosenbaum; Celebratory tribute to the lives and music of three blues greats: piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith and guitarist Hubert…
Born To Be Blue (2015): Dir. Robert Budreau
Feat. Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo; Impressionistic biopic re–imaging Chet Baker's musical comeback in the late '60s, with Ethan Hawke playing the jazz legend who battled heroin…
Miles Ahead (2015): Dir. Don Cheadle
Feat. Don Cheadle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Ewan McGregor…; Don Cheadle directs and offers a full–throated performance as Miles Davis in this adventurous, non–linear, exploration of the life and…
Finding Fela (2014): Dir. Alex Gibney; Alex Gibney trains his inquisitorial eye on the celebrated musician Fela Kuti, a revolutionary political figure and a leading proponet of Afrobeat.
Keep on Keepin' On (2014): Dir. Alan Hicks; Infectious documentary that follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years to document the mentorship between Terry and 23–year–old…
Whiplash (2014): Dir. Damien Chazelle
Feat. Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser…; A promising young jazz drummer enrolls at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at…
Dancing on the Edge (TV series) (2013): Dir. Stephen Poliakoff
Feat. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Matthew Goode, Angel Coulby…; Aided by beautiful period detail, Stephen Poliakoff's latest drama richly explores the rise and fall of a black jazz band embraced by the aristocracy…
This Ain't No Mouse Music! (2013): Dir. Chris Simon, Maureen Gosling; Essential documentary on German–born American producer Chris Strachwitz, founder of the multifarious record label Arhoolie Records which is…
Treme - Season 4 (TV Series) (2013): Feat. Khandi Alexander, Clarke Peters, Steve Zahn…; Final episodes from David Simon's superb dramatic study of post–Katrina New Orleans, focusing on a community of musicians, chefs, and residents…
B.B. King: The Life of Riley (2012): Dir. Jon Brewer; Exhaustive documentary on blues legend B.B. King, melding recollections, milestones, and insights from the likes Bill Cosby, Carlos Santana, Bonnie…
Treme - Season 3 (TV Series) (2012): Feat. Khandi Alexander, Clarke Peters, Steve Zahn…; Further episodes from David Simon's superb dramatic study of post–Katrina New Orleans, focusing on a community of musicians, chefs, and…
Treme - Season 2 (TV Series) (2011): Feat. Khandi Alexander, Clarke Peters, Steve Zahn…; Further episodes from David Simon's superb dramatic study of post–Katrina New Orleans, focusing on a community of musicians, chefs, and…
Treme - Season 1 (TV Series) (2010): Feat. Khandi Alexander, Clarke Peters, Steve Zahn…; Creator of THE WIRE, David Simon, tackles the post–Katrina reconstruction of New Orleans, focusing on a community of musicians, chefs, and…
Quincy Jones (The 75th Birthday Celebration) (2009): Quincy Jones celebrates his 75th birthday at the Montreux Jazz Festival in grandiose style, next to a number of musical guests such as Patti Austin,…
Tales of Mystery and Imagination (2009): Dir. Geoff Murphy; Saxophonist Lucien Johnson and the works of Edgar Allan Poe meet for this avant–garde, Blerta–esque performance. Fusing a…
Cadillac Records (2008): Dir. Darnell Martin
Feat. Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Gabrielle Union…; Flashy interpretation of the rise of the seminal Chess Records, regarded by many as America's greatest blues label. This ensemble piece is more…
Yes That's Me - Dave Murphy Plays the Blues (2008): Dir. Costa Botes; Intimate Wellington–based biopic following Kiwi blues performer Dave Murphy as he is given the opportunity to record at Braeburn Recording…
Anita O'Day - The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007): Dir. Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden; Thorough portrait of jazz extraordinaire Anita O'Day, from her emergence amongst luminaries Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday in the 40s, to…
Black Snake Moan (2007): Dir. Craig Brewer
Feat. Christina Ricci, Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake; Christina Ricci stars as a scrawny, Southern–fried nympho whose demons get her deep into trouble in the deep, deep South the minute her doting…
Honeydripper (2007): Dir. John Sayles
Feat. Danny Glover, Keb Mo, Mable John; Musical drama featuring a number of blues musicians in acting roles, from director John Sayles (LONESTAR). Set in rural Alabama in the 50's, where a…
Jumpin' and Jivin' (2007): Toe–tapping archive of early music clips and short films from the heyday of swing–era jazz. The players include: Louis Jordan, Fats…
Herbie Hancock - Possibilities (2006): Dir. Doug Biro
Feat. Herbie Hancock; Uber–keyboardist Herbie Hancock collaborates with a roll call of admirers – Sting, Paul Simon, Annie Lennox and Christina Aguilera, among…
Struggle No More (2006): Dir. Costa Botes; Affectionate tribute to veteran Wellington band 'The Windy City Strugglers' who formed in 1968 to play a mix of blues, soul and jug–band music…
Swing Guitar - The Genius of Django Reinhardt (2006): Short but informative documentary about the legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who rose from obscurity as a European gypsy to become perhaps…
Make It Funky (2005): Dir. Michael Murphy; A worthy documentary about the teeming musical traditions of New Orleans (made before Hurricane Katrina), which displays a firm understanding of the…
De-Lovely (Delovely) (2004): Dir. Irwin Winkler
Feat. Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce; Refined and dandy musical biopic of legendary tunesmith Cole Porter, who composed some great music while leading a gay double–life during his…
Duke Ellington - The Classic Hollywood Years (2004): The legendary jazz composer, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington featured in various Hollywood films during his career and this DVD compiles short…
Jazz Memories - The Incomparable Lena Horne (2004): Feat. Lena Horne; Comprehensive documentary detailing the life and work of singer, actress and cultural icon Lena Horne, who began as a dancer in 'The Cotton Club' in…
Jazz Memories - The Legendary Nat King Cole (2004): Feat. Nat King Cole; A straight–forward account of the life of the charismatic Black–American performer Nat 'King' Cole, who made significant inroads into the…
Lightning in a Bottle (2004): Dir. Antoine Fuqua; An effectively simple '12–bar' account of the now–famous Radio City Music Hall concert in 2003 which brought together an unprecedented…
Peggy Lee - Fever, The Music of (2004): A collection of clips from jazz–pop chanteuse Peggy Lee, who recorded over 1,100 masters and composed over 270 songs during a career that…
Story of Jazz, The (2004): Dir. Matthew Seig; Profiling some of Jazz's pivotal figures, this film features first–hand observations of dozens of great jazz artists. Includes Duke…
Blues Film Collection, The (Soul of a Man, Red, White and Blues, Feel Like Going Home, Godfathers and Sons, Piano Blues, The Road to Memphis, Warming by the Devil's Fire) (2003): A lavish collection of Blues documentary features made under the auspices of Martin Scorsese. Directed by an impressive line up of…
Get it On - The Seventies DVD Jukebox (2003): 22 classic tracks from the 1970's, taken from a European version of Top of the Pops. Stroll down memory lane with these great tracks: 1: Bryan…
Later... with Jools Holland - Party (2003): More live tracks from Jools Hollands' excellent late night TV show, in which he jams with various legends of popular music. Tracklisting: 1…
Life and Music of Dizzy Gillespie, The (2003): Feat. Dizzy Gillespie; A musical double–bill featuring legendary jazz trumpet–player Dizzy Gillespie, one of the key bebop musicians of the 1940s and…
The Blues: Feel Like Going Home (2003): Dir. Martin Scorsese
Feat. Taj Mahal; The opening part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". In this…
The Blues: Godfathers and Sons (2003): Dir. Marc Levin; The fifth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". A interesting…
The Blues: Piano Blues (2003): Dir. Clint Eastwood; The seventh and final part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One…
The Blues: Red White and Blues (2003): Dir. Mike Figgis; The sixth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". Another of the…
The Blues: The Road to Memphis (2003): Dir. Richard Pearce, Robert Kenner; The third part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". This episode…
The Blues: The Soul of a Man (2003): Dir. Wim Wenders; The second part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One of the…
The Blues: Warming by the Devil's Fire (2003): Dir. Charles Burnett; The fourth part of Martin Scorcese's TV mini–series celebration of one of America's quintessential musical forms "the Blues". One of the…
Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey (2002): Feat. Bill Wyman; Founding Rolling Stones member Bill Wyman (now fronting The Rhythm Kings) acknowledges the blues inspiration behind his bass guitar career. In…
Bookshelf on Top of the Sky, A (12 Stories About John Zorn) (2002): Dir. Claudia Heuermann; A fittingly unconventional look at the background and achievements of postmodern musician/composer John Zorn, made by longtime fan, Claudia…
Diana Krall - Live in Paris (2002): Dir. David Barnard; The sensuous jazzy vocals of Diana Krall captivate the audience at the Paris Olympia in 2002, accompanied by full orchestra and big–band.
Fleetwood Mac - Mick Fleetwood Story, The (2002): This documentary version of Mick Fleetwood's best–selling autobiography will appeal to music fans whether you're a Fleetwood Mac fan or not.…
La Tropical (2002): Dir. David Turnley; A sultry black and white tribute to Havana’s legendary dancehall ‘La Tropical’, with Pulitzer–Prize–winning photographer Turnley…
Norah Jones - Live in New Orleans (2002): Dir. Jim Gabour; Norah Jones and her her band are captured here in an intimate setting at the House of Blues in New Orleans on August 24, 2002. Tracks: Cold Cold…
Down from the Mountain (2001): Dir. Nick Doob, Chris Hegedus, D A Pennebaker; Concert film of the much–admired bluegrass soundtrack from the Coen Bros O BROTHER WHERE ART THOU?, that was a surprise winner of the Grammy…
Etta James - Burnin' Down the House (2001): Dir. Daniel E Catullo lll; One of the greatest modern blues singers, Etta James rips through a 90 minute set of jazz–bles classics.
Jazz (2001): Dir. Ken Burns; Sprawling and absorbing documentary series from the maker of THE CIVIL WAR, charting the rising star of jazz during the 20th century, with an…
Miles Davis Story, The (2001): Dir. Mike Dibb
Feat. Miles Davis; A Channel 4 documentary on the life and times of trumpeter, composer and jazz music legend Miles Davis. The only authorised film of Miles' life…
This Joint is Jumpin' (2001): A competent history of the 'Swing Jazz' era of the 1930s and 40s and its revival several decades later. Features archival footage of the era,…
B. B. King - Jazz Channel (2000): Influential blues singer/guitarist B.B. King plays live–to–air in Washington DC and gives a short interview.
Bobby Womack - Jazz Channel (2000): The legendary composer/singer/guitarist performs live in Washington D.C. such classics as “Across 110th Street”, “Looking for a Love” and…
Calle 54 (2000): Dir. Fernando Trueba; A luxurious and overdue tribute to the charms of Latin jazz, dir. Tueba’s (BELLE EPOQUE) musical passion. Interviews with greats like Tito…
Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The (2000): Dir. Gillies MacKinnon
Feat. Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Leslie Caron…; Charming light drama about a recently–widowed Judi Dench who decides to revive her saxophone playing, eventually getting the idea to reunite…
Screaming Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on Me (2000): Dir. Nicholas Triandafyllidis
Feat. Screamin' Jay Hawkins; Featuring dozens of confidential interviews and footage of Screamin' Jay Hawkins final live performances, this film chronicles the blues legend's…
Buena Vista Social Club (1999): Dir. Wim Wenders; A handful of sprightly elderly Cuban musicians assembled in 1996 by guitarist Ry Cooder produced, with their soulful, melodic jazz sound, the biggest…
Ella Fitzgerald - Something to Live For (1999): Dir. Charlotte Zwerin; A modest and carefully selected musical 'album' of jazz singer Fitzgerald's greatest years. Not really biographical in its focus, this…
Genghis Blues (1999): Dir. Roko Belic; Absorbing, stranger–than–fiction tale of San Francisco singer Paul Pena’s passion for Tuvan ‘Throat–singing’…
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand (1999): Dir. St. Clair Bourne; Documentary exploring the life and career of Paul Robeson, the singer, actor and political activist whose distinctive bass baritone is heard on some…
Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, The (1999): Produced after Ken Burns’ JAZZ, yet managing to illuminate ‘Satchmo’s’ life and times on several new levels, this artful collage of…
Great Day in Harlem, A (1998): Dir. Jean Bach; Featuring a panorama of interviews on the 1950s heydays of Harlem jazz, this Oscar–nominated doco centres round a famous photograph of 50 odd…
Swing (1998): Dir. Nick Mead
Feat. Hugo Speer, Clarence Clemmons, Lisa Stansfield…; Thoroughly in the mould of THE COMMITMENTS, this comic celebration of how music can relieve the drudgery of life casts Hugo Speer as an incarcerated…
Wild Man Blues (1998): Dir. Barbara Kopple
Feat. Woody Allen; Affably entertaining documentary that follows Woody Allen 'on tour' through Europe in 1996 aboard his musical side–act, a New Orleans Jazz Band…
Charlie Mingus - Triumph of the Underdog (1997): Dir. Don McGlyn; The enigmatic bass player, as much known for his volcanic temperament as his musical innovations is well–served in jazz–documentarian…
Dexter Gordon - More Than You Know (1996): Dir. Don McGlynn; Tenor jazz saxophonist Dexter, renowned for his work with Lionel Hampton and others, gets fan treatment in a lively montage of performance and…
Kansas City (1996): Dir. Robert Altman
Feat. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte; An all–star cast jam out on the multiple storylines of Robert Altman's homage to the 30s jazz–mecca of Kansas City. The old master stirs…
Masters Of American Music (1995)
Swing Kids (1993): Dir. Thomas Carter
Feat. Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley; Affecting drama about the young sub–culture of pre–war Germany, who traded Nazi–ism for American jazz culture. A rare insight into…
Dingo (1992): Dir. Rolf De Heer
Feat. Colin Friels; Superb, romantic jazz tribute stars Colin Friels as an aspiring musician/devotee who sets about realizing his childhood dream, to play with his idol…
Search for Robert Johnson (1992): Dir. Chris Hunt; Essential documentary attempts to unshroud the mystery surrounding the legendary Blues singer/songwriter who was murdered in 1938 at only 27.
World According to John Coltrane, The (1991): A concise profile of jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, from his roots in the church through his collaborations with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk, to…
Blues Alive (1990): A howlin' 16–track compilation of various live performances by Blues legends Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Ruth Brown and Otis Rush and others.
Mo' Better Blues (1990): Dir. Spike Lee
Feat. Denzel Washington; This male flipside to Lee's SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT sees talented musician caught between two women and his passion for jazz. A cinematic feast for the…
Let's Get Lost (1989): Dir. Bruce Weber; Stylish biography of jazz trumpeter/singer Chet Baker; rare concert footage and personal interviews combine to detail the life and music of this…
Miles Davis in Paris (1989): Feat. Miles Davis; Son of a dentist Miles blows life into his later material at the 1989 Paris Jazz Festival.
Bird (1988): Dir. Clint Eastwood
Feat. Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora, Keith David; Eastwood's biopic tribute to legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie 'Bird' Parker. His turbulent and extraordinary life is sympathetically characterised…
Miles Davis - Time After Time (1988): Feat. Miles Davis; Miles Davis blows the roof off the Munich Philharmonic Concert Hall, one of jazz trumpeteer's final live performances. Tracklist: Perfect Way, The…
Straight No Chaser (1988): Dir. Charlotte Zwerin; Composed of B&W archival footage of Thelonious Monk (rediscovered 20 years after the fact), this sees the idiosyncratic jazz pianist in full…
Round Midnight (1986): Dir. Bertrand Tavernier
Feat. Dexter Gordon, Francois Cluzet; In 1950s Paris, a decadent American saxophonist develops a friendship with an appreciative French fan who shows him the virtues of clean living. A…
Louie Bluie (1985): Dir. Terry Zwigoff; The feature debut of director Terry Zwigoff (CRUMB) explores the life and music of William Howard Taft Armstrong, (known as Louie Bluie), a blues…
Nina Simone - Live at Ronnie Scott's (1985): The gifted jazz singer Nina Simone captured live at Ronnie Scott's in London in 1985. Tracklisting: God God God, If You Knew, Mr Smith, Fodder In…
Dr. John and the Chris Barber Band - Live in London (1983): Dir. Derek Burbidge; Featuring the unique 1983 performance at the Marquee Club in London, jazz legend Dr. John performs laid back tunes evocative of New Orleans, such as…
Muddy Waters - Live at the Chicagofest (1981): The great electric bluesman Muddy Waters giving his final televised performance on August 3rd, 1981 at the Chicago Blues Festival. Tracklist:…
Joni Mitchell - Shadows and Light (1980): Dir. Joni Mitchell
Feat. Joni Mitchell; A wonderful concert recording from the heyday of Joni Mitchell's 'jazz period' with a spectacular band featuring the likes of Jaco Pastorius, Pat…
Memories of Duke Ellington (1980): A tribute to the great jazz composer–pianist 'Duke' Ellington, who created and developed his own sophisticated aesthetic from the late 1920s to…
Sophisticated Ladies (Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Shirley Bassey) (1980-1993): Three films about three of jazz music's most celebrated female vocalists. 'Sarah Vaughan – The Divine One' (1993) – An overview of…
Last of the Blue Devils, The (1979): Dir. Bruce Ricker; Jazz documentary covering everything from the Basie big–band sound to Kansas City Jazz and blues and the rock and roll that brought attention…
Sun Ra - Space is the Place (1974): Dir. John Coney; Mind–straining curiosity has freaky jazz bandleader Sun Ra and his "Intergalactic Solar Arkestra" landing on Earth in a yellow spaceship and…
Lady Sings the Blues (1972): Dir. Sidney J. Furie
Feat. Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor…; Diana Ross is terrific in her acting debut as famously–troubled jazz legend Billie Holiday in this flawed but fascinating biographical drama…
American Folk Blues Festival, The (1962-1966): Classic live performances from the American Folk–Blues Festival which toured Europe in the 1960s. Adding a startling new dimension to the…
Connection, The (1962): Dir. Shirley Clarke
Feat. Garry Goodrow, Warren Finnerty; Experimental cult curio based on the Jack Gelber play, in which a group of musician junkies await a heroin hook–up in a New York loft. Things…
All Night Long (Die Heisse Nacht) (1961): Dir. Basil Dearden, Michael Relph
Feat. Patrick McGoohan, Richard Attenborough, Keith Michell…; Set in London's smoky jazz scene, this updating of Othello is neatly positioned as a vehicle to showcase some of the best Jazz musicians of the…
Paris Blues (1961): Dir. Martin Ritt
Feat. Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Joanne Woodward…; Undernourished romantic drama has Newman and Poitier as Jazz musicians on holiday in Paris forced to decide whether to stay or return to the U.S. for…
Brel (Jacques Brel - Comme Quand On Était Beau) (1959-1973): Feat. Jacques Brel; Comprehensive French boxed set of the television performances of the ground–breaking and influential Belgian singer and songwriter, Jacques…
Five Pennies, The (1959): Dir. Melville Shavelson
Feat. Danny Kaye, Barbara Bel Geddes, Louis Armstrong…; Cheery Red Nichols biopic with Danny Kaye turning in a heartfelt performance as the famed jazz trumpter. Contains many soapy moments between Kaye…
Jazz On a Summer's Day (1959): Dir. Bert Stern; The definitive jazz concert film, shot at the Newport Festival in 1958 captures the sights and sounds and buzz of another time and place as well as…
Sound of Jazz, The - Complete Edition (1957): A classic document of 1950s jazz history, this TV special carried an exceptional line–up playing 10 tracks. Personal include Billie Holiday,…
Benny Goodman Story, The (1956): Dir. Valentine Davies
Feat. Steve Allen, Donna Reed; Biopic of swing band leader Benny Goodman from age 10 (in 1919) to his landmark Carnegie Hall band concert in 1938. Not exactly historically…
Man with the Golden Arm, The (1955): Dir. Otto Preminger
Feat. Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak; Cardsharp Frank Sinatra, is fresh out of 'the joint' with dreams of being a jazz drummer. Heroin though, is keeping him down, trapped in a…
Pete Kelly's Blues (1955): Dir. Jack Webb
Feat. Jack Webb, Janet Leigh, Edmond O'Brien…; Musical set in 1920's Kansas which blends jazz, gangsters and political corruption. Directed by and starring Jack Webb as a cornet player who is…
Glenn Miller Story, The (1954): Dir. Anthony Mann
Feat. James Stewart, June Allyson, Louis Armstrong…; A creditable star–biography of the big–band leader and trombonist, which, verging on the overly sentimental, is saved by its reverance to…
Young Man With a Horn (Young Man of Music) (1949): Dir. Michael Curtiz
Feat. Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall…; Sharp biopic based on legendary jazz trumpeteer Bix Beiderbecke (played here by Kirk Douglas), who rose from obscurity to possess one of the most…
Rhapsody in Blue (1945): Dir. Irving Rapper
Feat. Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith…; George Gershwin's life and work is given a good glossing over from Hollywood, but the magical music keeps things sprightly for over two hours.
Great Performances - Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis (1944-1959): Feat. Miles Davis; Rare archival footage of three jazz greats, comprising the following pieces: 'Jammin' the Blues' (1944) – 3 songs with Lester 'Prez' Young…
Orchestra Wives (1942): Dir. Archie Mayo
Feat. Ann Rutherford, George Montgomery, Lynn Bari…; Swing–era musical featuring the Glenn Miller orchestra, with Miller himself playing the leader of a band. When the trumpet player…
Bachelor Lounge: A series of laidback jazz clips from the 1970s, including live and television performances by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Duke…
Songmakers Collection, The: Dir. Morgan Neville; Documentary about the musical revolution that took place in New York's Brill Building, an office space a few blocks from Times Square dubbed "The Hit…

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Subgenre Sampler