Jammin' the Blues by Gjon Mili ~ Swing, jazz and blues - Dance to the music

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Jammin' the Blues by Gjon Mili

What could be more appropriate late at night than a jazz jam session where the musicians gather and play ad lib, jammin' the blues, as in this video clip. They start out very bluesy and mellow but then the jazz music get faster and hotter. The short film from 1944 is directed by one of my favorite photographers: Gjon Mili.

Don't just listen to the wonderful swing and blues music, but also take time to enjoy how the set and the musicians are lit. Sweet! I like visual composition that Gjon Mili creates.

Marie Bryant sings "On the Sunny Side of the Street". I really like Lester Young who plays tenor saxophone and Harry Edison on trumpet. Barney Kessel on guitar was a new name to me, I have to research him a little bit more. In the video clip is also a good lindy hop sequence.

This film was nominated for an Oscar in 1944 in the category "Short subject (one reel)".

What do you think of the video clip "Jammin' the Blues"? Tell me.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi I have stumbled across your page and really enjoyed watching these clips!

I will be checking often for more of this classy stuff.

Thanks,

Baldie