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Jazz on a Summer's Day (and night) at the Movies, part 2 on the SCENE on WZUM

Jazz on a Summer’s Day is a musical and visual treat from the Newport Jazz Festival, 1958, released in 1959. This summer, it is being re-released in a revitalized 4K format and distributed to support independent movie theaters across the country in this time when smaller art houses are having difficultly being open because of Covid-19.

In Pittsburgh, the Row House Cinema in Lawrenceville is the online presenter for this new release.

Filmed at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island and directed by world-renowned photographer Bert Stern, Jazz on a Summer's Day features intimate performances by an all-star line-up of musical legends including Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O'Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington, and closes with a beautiful rendition or The Lord's Prayer by Mahalia Jackson at midnight to usher in Sunday morning.

Louis Armstrong

The film is a remarkably colorful moving snapshot of a moment in time. From the film, we feature a track with Louis Armstrong and his All Stars with special guest Jack Teagarden. Plus, Sounds from other featured performers like Dinah Washington, Jimmy Giuffre and Anita O’Day.

Also - tune in for details on how to get a free stream code for the film from the Row House Cinema and WZUM!

Anita O’Day

We revisit the recent Miles Davis documentary, Birth of the Cool, and also hear a track that Miles crafted with Gil Evans, Lee Konitz and more for some revolutionary sessions in 1949 that the film’s title came from. Lee Konitz passed away this year at the age of 92 - he was the last of the performers from the Birth of the Cool sessions. The Film has had a great run in local theaters - and now, available through the American Masters series for supporters of PBS, online.

We turn to Cleveland and Bob Beldon’s Jazz score from “Three Days of Rain,” which includes the final film appearance by Peter Falk, and Lyle Lovett as a Jazz Disc Jockey.

We remember the 1986 film that earned tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, Round Midnight. Herbie Hancock’s work won the Oscar for best musical score.

Trumpeter Lee Morgan is viewable on Netflix streaming right now with the 2016 documentary “I Called Him Morgan,” with keen insights into the music and life of the trumpet innovator.

A 2006 documentary on vocalist and guitarist Jackie Paris is another discovery worth your time. 'Tis Autumn: The Search For Jackie Paris features fascinating interviews and music from the innovative vocalist who was well regarded by many jazz stars, but who’s career never quite took off. On today’s show, we hear a 1957 recording of Jackie with Donald Byrd and Gigi Gryce which gives a glimpse into Paris’ potential.

Thursday night at 6, repeated Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5 on “THE SCENE” on WZUM - All on the radio on WZUM!

Thelonious Monk at Newport, 1958