OCT 26-29 Thurs-Sun at 7pm

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

PARIS BLUES

(Martin Ritt, USA, 1961, 35mm, 98 min.)

Sponsored by KEXP, Easy Street Records and Earshot Jazz

Director Martin Ritt's ambitious 1961 film stars Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier as American jazz musicians living in Paris. The arrival of American tourists Diahann Carroll and Joanne Woodward sparks romance, but also brings to the surface issues of race, freedom, relationships and dedication to one's art. Seeing the talented (and attractive) stars in early roles is a treat, and the film is beautifully lensed by legendary French cinematographer Christian Matras (LA GRANDE ILLUSION). However, the real star here is the music, with an unforgettable performance by Louis Armstrong and one of only three feature film scores composed by the great Duke Ellington. Written in an especially prolific period, Sir Duke's Oscar-nominated score uses both small bands and a large orchestra. PARIS BLUES is rarely screened and not available on DVD. We're pleased to present a beautiful 35mm print for this special engagement celebrating the film's 45th anniversary.

"An extraordinary score...glittering with beautiful melodies and graceful interludes." _Peter Watrous, NEW YORK TIMES

OCT 26 Thurs at 9pm

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

JAZZ TRANSMISSIONS

Sponsored by KEXP, Easy Street Records and Earshot Jazz

Join us for a special selection of rarely screened jazz performances culled from 1960s' American and European TV programs. Televised performances of the era, shot with multiple cameras in controlled settings, remain some of the best surviving footage of our greatest jazz masters in action. Just as these transmissions brought great artists into living rooms more than four decades ago, they transform our cinema for one night into an intimate all-star concert featuring Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, Wes Montgomery and many others.

OCT 27-30 Fri-Mon at 9pm

SEATTLE PREMIERE!

CECIL TAYLOR: ALL THE NOTES

(Chris Felver, USA, 2004, BetaSP, 71 min.)

Sponsored by KEXP, Easy Street Records and Earshot Jazz

Filmmaker Christopher Felver gets up close and personal with the larger-than-life free jazz innovator, pianist Cecil Taylor. ALL THE NOTES is an intimate portrait of the artist, providing rare insight into his unique music and its deep intellectual underpinnings. We find Taylor at work and at play in his Brooklyn home, in live performances, at teaching gigs in California, and in a backstage meeting with old friend Mal Waldron. The film also includes interviews with Elvin Jones and several poets. Taylor's performances and pronouncements on life, art and music are revelatory.

OCT 28-30 Sat at 5pm; Sun at 3pm, Mon at 7pm

SEATTLE PREMIERE!

'TIS AUTUMN: THE SEARCH FOR JACKIE PARIS

(Raymond De Felitta, USA, 2006, BetaSP, 100 min.)

Sponsored by KEXP, Easy Street Records and Earshot Jazz

Jackie Paris exploded onto the New York scene in the 1940s and quickly became the favorite vocalist of such jazz greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus and Thelonious Monk. So why is it that this singing sensation is today only an obscure side-note in jazz history, if remembered at all? Director Raymond De Felitta unearths Paris' glorious art and the mysteries of his enigmatic career and complex past. Producer David Zellerford scheduled to attend.

"Magnificent and moving...essential viewing for jazz fans." -Robert Koehler, VARIETY

OCT 28-29 Sat at 3pm, Sun at 5pm

SEATTLE PREMIERE!

MUSIC IS MY LIFE, POLITICS IS MY MISTRESS

(donnie l. betts, USA, 2005, BetaSP, 110 min.)

Sponsored by KEXP, Easy Street Records and Earshot Jazz

This new documentary celebrates the life and work of Oscar Brown, Jr., the legendary Chicago-born jazz singer, songwriter, poet, playwright and political activist who passed away last year. Known for his distinctive humor and socially conscious works, Brown composed more than one thousand songs, wrote over a dozen stage shows, shared bills with the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane, and hosted the television series JAZZ SCENE USA. Interviews with Brown himself as well as friends and colleagues are mixed with recordings, photos and archival film footage for a compelling portrait of the often overlooked artist. Director donnie l. betts scheduled to attend.

"Sets the record straight, eloquently summing up Brown's enormous achievements while capturing the man's wizardry." -Howard Reich, CHICAGO TRIBUNE