Thu April 23, 2015
The Cry of Jazz: New Documentaries
SEE EVENT DETAILS
at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) Screening Room
(see times)
The Cry of Jazz: New Documentaries
This five-part series presents new films on extraordinary jazz visionaries, plus a newly restored work from 1981. Beyond the fantastic music, there are profound stories of prejudice, pain, and injustice. Above all, these are essential documents of joy and triumph over adversity.
Bayou Maharajah
By Lily Keber
Thu, Apr 2, 7:30 PM
Bayou Maharajah explores the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, the man Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Illustrated with never-before-seen concert footage, rare personal photos, and exclusive interviews, the film paints a portrait of this unjustly neglected genius. (2013, 93 min, digital)
Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
By N.C. Heikin
Thu, Apr 9 & Sat, Apr 11, 7:30 PM
Director N.C. Heikin and producer James Egan in person
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drug addiction. What set Morgan apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse, and then went on to a much heralded comeback career. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and finally redemption through his art. (2014, 84 min, digital)
The Case of the Three Sided Dream
By Adam Kahan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:30 PM
Director Adam Kahan in person
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was a visionary multi-instrumentalist, personality, and outspoken activist who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices – never relented. This remarkable new film, which emphasizes live performance and audio recordings over interviews, takes you on a journey through Kirk's vibrant life and career. (2014, 87 min, digital)
Be Known
By Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
Sat, Apr 18, 7:30 PM
Discover the life and career of percussionist and composer Kahil El’Zabar, one of modern jazz’s best-kept secrets. This intimate portrait is filled with darkly comic overtones, including El’Zabar’s wildly complicated personal life, and his path from celebrity in Paris to relative obscurity in Chicago and everywhere in between. Be Known takes us on a journey to the mysterious intersection of creativity and individuality. Produced by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. (2014, 96 min, digital)
Stations of the Elevated
By Manfred Kirchheimer
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 PM
Newly rediscovered and restored to high definition, this earliest filmed document of graffiti sets images of New York to a soundtrack that interweaves ambient city noises with the gutbucket gospel squall of Charles Mingus. With lyrical shots of tagged trains, desolate rail yards, and other details of the urban landscape, it remains a priceless portrait of a quintessentially urban art form. (1981, 45 min, digital) Preceeded by the director’s short film Claw. (1968, 30 min, digital)
show less
This five-part series presents new films on extraordinary jazz visionaries, plus a newly restored work from 1981. Beyond the fantastic music, there are profound stories of prejudice, pain, and injustice. Above all, these are essential documents of joy and triumph over adversity.
Bayou Maharajah
By Lily Keber
Thu, Apr 2, 7:30 PM
Bayou Maharajah explores the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, the man Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Illustrated with never-before-seen concert footage, rare personal photos, and exclusive interviews, the film paints a portrait of this unjustly neglected genius. (2013, 93 min, digital)
Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
By N.C. Heikin
Thu, Apr 9 & Sat, Apr 11, 7:30 PM
Director N.C. Heikin and producer James Egan in person
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drug addiction. What set Morgan apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse, and then went on to a much heralded comeback career. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and finally redemption through his art. (2014, 84 min, digital)
The Case of the Three Sided Dream
By Adam Kahan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:30 PM
Director Adam Kahan in person
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was a visionary multi-instrumentalist, personality, and outspoken activist who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices – never relented. This remarkable new film, which emphasizes live performance and audio recordings over interviews, takes you on a journey through Kirk's vibrant life and career. (2014, 87 min, digital)
Be Known
By Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
Sat, Apr 18, 7:30 PM
Discover the life and career of percussionist and composer Kahil El’Zabar, one of modern jazz’s best-kept secrets. This intimate portrait is filled with darkly comic overtones, including El’Zabar’s wildly complicated personal life, and his path from celebrity in Paris to relative obscurity in Chicago and everywhere in between. Be Known takes us on a journey to the mysterious intersection of creativity and individuality. Produced by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. (2014, 96 min, digital)
Stations of the Elevated
By Manfred Kirchheimer
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 PM
Newly rediscovered and restored to high definition, this earliest filmed document of graffiti sets images of New York to a soundtrack that interweaves ambient city noises with the gutbucket gospel squall of Charles Mingus. With lyrical shots of tagged trains, desolate rail yards, and other details of the urban landscape, it remains a priceless portrait of a quintessentially urban art form. (1981, 45 min, digital) Preceeded by the director’s short film Claw. (1968, 30 min, digital)
The Cry of Jazz: New Documentaries
This five-part series presents new films on extraordinary jazz visionaries, plus a newly restored work from 1981. Beyond the fantastic music, there are profound stories of prejudice, pain, and injustice. Above all, these are essential documents of joy and triumph over adversity.
Bayou Maharajah
By Lily Keber
Thu, Apr 2, 7:30 PM
Bayou Maharajah explores the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, the man Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Illustrated with never-before-seen concert footage, rare personal photos, and exclusive interviews, the film paints a portrait of this unjustly neglected genius. (2013, 93 min, digital)
Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
By N.C. Heikin
Thu, Apr 9 & Sat, Apr 11, 7:30 PM
Director N.C. Heikin and producer James Egan in person
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drug addiction. What set Morgan apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse, and then went on to a much heralded comeback career. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and finally redemption through his art. (2014, 84 min, digital)
The Case of the Three Sided Dream
By Adam Kahan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:30 PM
Director Adam Kahan in person
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was a visionary multi-instrumentalist, personality, and outspoken activist who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices – never relented. This remarkable new film, which emphasizes live performance and audio recordings over interviews, takes you on a journey through Kirk's vibrant life and career. (2014, 87 min, digital)
Be Known
By Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
Sat, Apr 18, 7:30 PM
Discover the life and career of percussionist and composer Kahil El’Zabar, one of modern jazz’s best-kept secrets. This intimate portrait is filled with darkly comic overtones, including El’Zabar’s wildly complicated personal life, and his path from celebrity in Paris to relative obscurity in Chicago and everywhere in between. Be Known takes us on a journey to the mysterious intersection of creativity and individuality. Produced by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. (2014, 96 min, digital)
Stations of the Elevated
By Manfred Kirchheimer
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 PM
Newly rediscovered and restored to high definition, this earliest filmed document of graffiti sets images of New York to a soundtrack that interweaves ambient city noises with the gutbucket gospel squall of Charles Mingus. With lyrical shots of tagged trains, desolate rail yards, and other details of the urban landscape, it remains a priceless portrait of a quintessentially urban art form. (1981, 45 min, digital) Preceeded by the director’s short film Claw. (1968, 30 min, digital)
read more
This five-part series presents new films on extraordinary jazz visionaries, plus a newly restored work from 1981. Beyond the fantastic music, there are profound stories of prejudice, pain, and injustice. Above all, these are essential documents of joy and triumph over adversity.
Bayou Maharajah
By Lily Keber
Thu, Apr 2, 7:30 PM
Bayou Maharajah explores the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, the man Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Illustrated with never-before-seen concert footage, rare personal photos, and exclusive interviews, the film paints a portrait of this unjustly neglected genius. (2013, 93 min, digital)
Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story
By N.C. Heikin
Thu, Apr 9 & Sat, Apr 11, 7:30 PM
Director N.C. Heikin and producer James Egan in person
Frank Morgan was a prodigal alto sax player who, like so many of his fellow musicians of the era, saw his career plagued by drug addiction. What set Morgan apart is not just his exceptionally beautiful playing, but also the amazing fact that he survived 30 years of revolving door incarceration and drug abuse, and then went on to a much heralded comeback career. His story is one of brilliant promise in his youth, a journey through the depths of hell, and finally redemption through his art. (2014, 84 min, digital)
The Case of the Three Sided Dream
By Adam Kahan
Thu, Apr 16, 7:30 PM
Director Adam Kahan in person
Rahsaan Roland Kirk was a visionary multi-instrumentalist, personality, and outspoken activist who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices – never relented. This remarkable new film, which emphasizes live performance and audio recordings over interviews, takes you on a journey through Kirk's vibrant life and career. (2014, 87 min, digital)
Be Known
By Dwayne Johnson-Cochran
Sat, Apr 18, 7:30 PM
Discover the life and career of percussionist and composer Kahil El’Zabar, one of modern jazz’s best-kept secrets. This intimate portrait is filled with darkly comic overtones, including El’Zabar’s wildly complicated personal life, and his path from celebrity in Paris to relative obscurity in Chicago and everywhere in between. Be Known takes us on a journey to the mysterious intersection of creativity and individuality. Produced by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance. (2014, 96 min, digital)
Stations of the Elevated
By Manfred Kirchheimer
Thu, Apr 23, 7:30 PM
Newly rediscovered and restored to high definition, this earliest filmed document of graffiti sets images of New York to a soundtrack that interweaves ambient city noises with the gutbucket gospel squall of Charles Mingus. With lyrical shots of tagged trains, desolate rail yards, and other details of the urban landscape, it remains a priceless portrait of a quintessentially urban art form. (1981, 45 min, digital) Preceeded by the director’s short film Claw. (1968, 30 min, digital)
show less
Date/Times:
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) Screening Room
701 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
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