It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story

Daybreak Express

January 1953 •English

Set to a classic Duke Ellington recording "Daybreak Express", this is a five-minute short of the soon-to-be-demolished Third Avenue elevated subway station in New York City.

The Last Days of Left Eye

May 2007 •English

Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes was the hip-hop voice of TLC, the best selling female R&B group of all time. On March 30th, 2002, Lisa decided to document her life. She filmed at a mysterious spiritual retreat deep in the jungles of Honduras, but 26 days later, after a tragic accident, she was dead and her unedited tapes were left behind. Last Days of Left Eye is the re-imagining of the film Lisa never got to complete. Revealing private moments from Lisa's journals and home movies, along with highlights from her celebrated career, this film is an intimate journey into the soul of a talented and still provocative young artist. Directed by Lauren Lazin, Academy Award nominated director of Tupac: Resurrection (2005, Best Documentary Feature), Last Days of Left Eye has screened to sold-out audiences at film festivals around the world.

Bill Laswell - World Beat Sound System: Live at Soundstage

July 2006 •English

Throughout three decades, Bill Laswell has been a constant innovator, fusing seemingly disparate genres into a whole new sound. Touching upon everything from worldbeat, funk, rock, hip-hop and jazz, there are no limits to his experimental approach. Among his many talents is his ability to bring together well-matched singers and players to create a distinct style that defies easy classification. His Soundstage episode embodies his unique approach, transcending any genre boundaries and delivering an engaging performance. From the World Beat of Tabla Beat Science, to the jazzy flavors of Pharoah Sanders backed by Material, it’s an exciting mix. Other surprises include a rocking Buckethead set that includes a little breakdancing and songs by Praxis. The show culminates with an all-star performance, funked up by Bootsy Collins.

Lambert & Co.

January 1964 •English

Jazz vocalist Dave Lambert auditions a new group of singers at RCA Studios in 1964.

Kamasi Washington Live At The Apollo Theater

February 2020 •English

Tenor saxophonist, composer and producer Kamasi Washington and his band perform a special show at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater for the theatre's 85th year anniversary. Washington explores Harlem's rich musical and cultural history and the city's influence on his generation of artists.

Nalen

October 1998 •Swedish

Documentary about legendary Swedish jazz club "Nalen" featuring interviews with old musicians and singers, and old clips from the place in its glory days

Dizzy's Dream Band

January 1982 •English

All-Star concert recorded at Lincoln Center in 1982 -- Featuring Max Roach, Jon Faddis, John Lewis and Milt Jackson.

Jazz Hot

January 1939 •English

JAZZ HOT is a major discovery, a unique sync sound film recorded of Django Reinhardt, greatest of jazz guitarists, here with violinist Stephane Grappelli and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France.

Don't Fall in Love with Yourself

November 2022 •English

A documentary about the life and music of Justin Pearson. An enigmatic underground musician and owner of Three One G records.

Jazz Voice - The Ladies sing Jazz Vol.2

December 2006 •French

Midori: Sayonara, Gotō-san

April 2011 •Japanese

Sayonara, Goto-san. is a recording of Midori's final show at Tokyo LIQUIDROOM on December 30, 2010, released on DVD on April 6, 2011.

Od začiatku až do kolísky – 80 rokov Petra Lipu

May 2023 •Slovak

Fire Music

September 2021 •English

Although the free jazz movement of the 1960s and '70s was much maligned in some jazz circles, its pioneers - brilliant talents like Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, and John Coltrane - are today acknowledged as central to the evolution of jazz as America's most innovative art form. FIRE MUSIC showcases the architects of a movement whose radical brand of improvisation pushed harmonic and rhythmic boundaries, and produced landmark albums like Coleman's Free Jazz: A Collective Inspiration and Coltrane's Ascension. A rich trove of archival footage conjures the 1960s jazz scene along with incisive reflections by critic Gary Giddins and a number of the movement's key players.

The Case of the Three Sided Dream

March 2014 •English

The documentary film on the life and legacy of Rahsaan Roland Kirk – a one of a kind musician, personality, activist and windmill slayer who despite being blind, becoming paralyzed, and facing America’s racial injustices - did not relent.

Komeda, Komeda...

September 2012 •Polish

A feature- length documentary on the life and work of jazz musician and composer Krzysztof Komeda.

The Magician: A Film About Jan Johansson

April 1999 •Swedish

In this sober and moody documentary, director Anders Østergaard explores the life - and death - of Swedish wonder kid jazz pianist Jan Johansson through a rain-soaked windshield.

What Difference Does It Make?

February 2014 •English

A documentary that explores the challenges that a life in music can bring.

The Experimental Rock of Instants Chavirés (Or How to Put an End to Jazz)

May 2018 •French

A documentary on underground and experimental rock acts performing at Les Instants Chavirés, a music venue in Montreuil, France. Performers include Thierry Madiot, Peter Brötzmann + Han Bennink, The Ex + Tom Cora, Roof, Hint + Quentin Rollet, Kampec Dolores, Prolapse, King Biscuit, Zeni Geva, Melt Banana, Purr, Badgewearer, Heliogabale + Didier Petit, Keiji Haino, Oxbow, US Maple, New Bad Things, Tiger Lillies, Marc Ribot, KK Null, Api Uiz, Labradford, Godspeed You Black Emperor, De Kift, Sophie Agnel & Roro Perrot.

All You Can Eat

January 2025 •English

All You Can Eat is a brief yet captivating short film that highlights the hungry moments shared between Brylee and his partner as they enjoy a sushi date together at Trapper's Sushi.

Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes

June 2019 •English

Explore the vision behind the iconic American jazz record label. Since 1939, Blue Note artists have been encouraged to push creative boundaries in search of uncompromising expressions. Through current recording sessions, rare archive and conversations with iconic Blue Note artists, the film reveals an intimate perspective of a legacy that continues to be vital in today’s political climate.