Tradition is a Temple

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Old-time Jazz on the Tube subscribers knows that collectively we were one of the prime financial sponsors of this most worthy film. Available on Amazon.

And so is our new book…

Death, Resurection, and the Spirit of New Orleans
You can get your copy here

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

The greatest jazz documentary ever?

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The greatest jazz documentary ever?

This is not a “clickbait” statement.

I think the case be made that this single documentary accomplishes more than any other jazz documentary I’ve seen- and I’ve seen more than a few.

#1 – It features an artist who we would all do well to understand better – Dizzy Gillespie.

When you talk about the things that really rocked the music post war – Bebop and Afro-Caribbean elements – Dizzy was a prime mover in both.

#2 – It covers Big Band *and* Bebop and shows the massive historical shift that took place after the war. Dizzy happened to be on both sides of that transition and was a super Big Band leader, something many overlook.

#3 – It captures what a major, world-changing revolution Bebop was when it appeared

#4 – It shows some of Dizzy’s work with Afro-Caribbean music. Remember, his “Manteca” with Chano Pozo is what opened the floodgates on that.

It’s not the WHOLE history of the music, but when you cover Dizzy well – which this film does beautifully – you cover a a big swath of the story.

Details:

To Bop or Not to Be: A Jazz Life, by Norwegian director Jan Horne. Recorded – 1990.

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.