Jazz On A Summer's Day

Totally exhilirating to re-see this classic in a sparking new HD print. Not seen it in years but its still magic - the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 as captured by photographer Bert Stern (who later went on to do Marilyn's Last Session photos). We start with lovely images of reflections on water with those iconic titles and fonts, as Jimmy Giuffre captivates with that tune. Then some shots of Newport Rhode Island and people - young, old, hipsters, that 1958 look (very Paul Newman-Joanne Woodward) and boats and cars. It really captures that time and place.

The concert is terrific as we get Anita O'Day, Mahalia Jackson, Louis Armstrong, Giuffre and others all at the top of their game, including Dinah Washington, Chuck Berry, Gerry Mulligan, George Shearing. A lovely way to spend a summer's day - now or in 1958. Annoyingly maybe for jazz purists its not a straightforward concert film as its as much about the summer's day as about the jazz - but thats what so interesting for me, as we explore Newport RI as well as taking the music. A decade later the documentary MONTEREY POP showed the new breeed of hippie Californians enjoying the outdoors before heading off to WOODSTOCK - and then 40 years flew by!