Sort by IMDb Rating - Highest Rated Movies and TV Shows With George Wein

1. Myth of a Colorblind France (2020)

86 min | Documentary

9.1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9.1/10 X

Myth of a Colorblind France explores the extraordinary and sometimes difficult lives of Blacks in Paris from the 19th century to the present. For more than a century, African American ... See full summary »

Director: Alan Govenar | Stars: Akin Babatunde, Josephine Baker, Ben the Glorious Bastard, Barbara Chase-Riboud

Votes: 16

2. Jazz (2001)

108 min | Documentary, History, Music

8.6

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.6/10 X

A survey of the musical form's history and major talents.

Stars: Keith David, Wynton Marsalis, Gary Giddins, Delroy Lindo

Votes: 2,499

3. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)

TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show

8.5

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.5/10 X

Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.

Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson

Votes: 4,242

4. Keeping Time: The Life, Music & Photography of Milt Hinton (2003)

60 min | Documentary

8.5

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.5/10 X

Add a Plot

Directors: David G. Berger, Kate Hirson, Holly Maxson | Stars: Amiri Baraka, Johnny Carson, Ron Carter, Doc Cheatham

Votes: 18

5. American Masters (1985– )

TV-14 | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History

8.2

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.2/10 X

Documentary series focusing on great American artists and personalities.

Stars: Martin Scorsese, Peter Bogdanovich, Tony Bennett, Dick Cavett

Votes: 1,171

6. Mahalia Jackson: The Power and the Glory (1997)

Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary

8.1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

A Documentary that charts the life and music of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson

Director: Jeff Scheftel | Stars: Mahalia Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Horace Clarence Boyer, John Sellers

Votes: 39

7. Good Evening Ev'rybody: In Celebration of Louis Armstrong (2008 TV Special)

Not Rated | 93 min | Music

8.1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8.1/10 X

A musical celebration you'll never forget, GOOD EVENING EV'RYBODY brings together Louis Armstrong and musical guests for a never-before-released concert performance in honor of Armstrong's 70th birthday at the Newport Jazz Festival.

Star: Louis Armstrong

Votes: 22

8. Jazz (2001)
Episode: Risk: 1945-1955 (2001)

TV-PG | 123 min | Documentary, History, Music

8.0

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8/10 X

The postwar years bring prosperity, but the Cold War threat makes these anxious years as well. In jazz, this underlying tension will be reflected in bebop, and in the troubled life of it's ... See full summary »

Director: Ken Burns | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Dave Brubeck, Kevin Conway, Stanley Crouch

Votes: 85

9. Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)

Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary, Music

7.9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

The highlights of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.

Directors: Bert Stern, Aram Avakian | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Berry, Chico Hamilton

Votes: 1,943

10. Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007)

Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Music

7.9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

76 Metascore

A tribute to jazz diva Anita O'Day, completed just weeks before her death in November 2006.

Directors: Robbie Cavolina, Ian McCrudden | Stars: Anita O'Day, Louis Armstrong, Buddy Bregman, Dick Cavett

Votes: 248

11. Vince Giordano: There's a Future in the Past (2016)

90 min | Documentary, Biography, History

7.9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

74 Metascore

Bandleader Vince Giordano keeps the Jazz Age alive with his 11-member band The Nighthawks, vintage musical instruments, and a collection of more than 60,000 original arrangements from the 1920s and '30s.

Directors: Dave Davidson, Amber Edwards | Stars: Vince Giordano, Garrison Keillor, David Johansen, Terry Gross

Votes: 51 | Gross: $0.01M

12. Jazz (2001)
Episode: Dedicated to Chaos: 1940-1945 (2001)

TV-PG | 116 min | Documentary, History, Music

7.9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.9/10 X

When America enters World War II, jazz is part of the arsenal. Bandleaders like Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw enlist, taking their swing to the troops overseas. Many black Americans, ... See full summary »

Director: Ken Burns | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Philip Bosco, Dave Brubeck, Jimmy Cobb

Votes: 84

13. My Main Man. Appunti per un film sul jazz a Bologna (2009)

91 min | Documentary

7.8

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.8/10 X

Between the 1950s and 60s, Bologna found itself home to an authentic cultural movement: the arrival of Victory Discs, the opening of Disclub, a record store dedicated exclusively to ... See full summary »

Director: Germano Maccioni | Stars: Marcella Alberti, Gato Barbieri, Todd Barkan, Filippo Bianchi

Votes: 15

14. Jazz (2001)
Episode: The Adventure: 1956-1960 (2001)

TV-PG | 113 min | Documentary, History, Music

7.8

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For jazz, the late 1950s is a period of transition when old stars like Billie Holiday and Lester Young will burn out while young talents arise to take the music in new directions. New ... See full summary »

Director: Ken Burns | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Art Blakey, Lester Bowie, Ray Charles

Votes: 77

15. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)

Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

7.6

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X

75 Metascore

A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the "High Priestess of Soul."

Director: Liz Garbus | Stars: Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, Al Schackman

Votes: 14,834

16. Michel Petrucciani (2011)

102 min | Documentary, Music

7.6

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.6/10 X

A documentary on the late French jazz pianist.

Director: Michael Radford | Stars: Michel Petrucciani, Alexandre Petrucciani, Eugenia Morrison, David Himmelstein

Votes: 249

17. Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (2020)

95 min | Documentary, History, Music

7.5

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X

73 Metascore

Jimmy Carter's election to the presidency of the United States in 1977 was helped by the links that this fan of pop music had with stars.

Director: Mary Wharton | Stars: Madeleine Albright, Tom Beard, Bono, Garth Brooks

Votes: 725

18. Jazz (2001)
Episode: A Masterpiece by Midnight: 1960 to the Present (2001)

TV-PG | 109 min | Documentary, History, Music

7.5

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.5/10 X

During the Sixties, jazz is in trouble. Though Louis Armstrong briefly outsells the Beatles with "Hello Dolly," most jazz musicians are desperate for work and many head for Europe. In the ... See full summary »

Director: Ken Burns | Stars: Louis Armstrong, Lester Bowie, Dave Brubeck, James Carter

Votes: 71

19. American Masters (1985– )
Episode: Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (2019)

Not Rated | 114 min | Documentary, Biography, History

7.4

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.4/10 X

76 Metascore

Musicians, scholars, family and friends reflect on the life of jazzer Miles Davis to reveal the man behind the legend. Full access to Davis' estate provides rare footage and photos, outtakes from recording sessions and new interviews.

Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Carl Lumbly, Miles Davis, Reginald Petty, Quincy Troupe

Votes: 3,283 | Gross: $0.19M

20. Mavis! (2015)

TV-14 | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

7.3

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.3/10 X

71 Metascore

Her family group, the Staple Singers, inspired millions and helped propel the civil rights movement with their music. After 60 years of performing, legendary singer Mavis Staples' message of love and equality is needed now more than ever.

Director: Jessica Edwards | Stars: Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Adam Ayres, Donny Gerrard

Votes: 399

21. American Masters (1985– )
Episode: John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen (1990)

TV-14 | Documentary, Biography, History

7.2

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.2/10 X

John Hammond was responsible for discovering many top talents in the music business. As a producer, writer, critic, and board member of the NAACP, he was credited as a major force in integrating the music business.

Director: Hart Perry | Stars: Ossie Davis, John Hammond, Rachel Breck, Lionel Hampton

Votes: 55

22. The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story (2010)

Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

7.1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.1/10 X

For 50 years, Grammy-winning producer Arif Mardin was the best in the business. The Greatest Ears In Town: The Arif Mardin Story chronicles his prolific career that spanned iconic hits from the Bee Gees to Aretha Franklin to Norah Jones.

Directors: Doug Biro, Joe Mardin | Stars: Robin Gibb, Quincy Jones, Phil Collins, Daryl Hall

Votes: 81

23. Queens of Jazz: The Joy and Pain of the Jazz Divas (2013 TV Movie)

60 min | Documentary, Music

7.1

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7.1/10 X

Documentary celebrating some of the greatest female jazz singers of the 20th century, including what it took to be a jazz diva during a turbulent time in America's social history.

Director: Chris Rodley | Stars: Carleen Anderson, Bob Dorough, Ella Fitzgerald, Holly Foster Wells

Votes: 13

24. Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story (2022)

PG-13 | 95 min | Documentary, Music

7.0

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7/10 X

78 Metascore

A film that not only captures the signature annual music and cultural event that has been called America's greatest festival in all of its beauty and glory, but also delves deep into the rich culture of The Big Easy.

Directors: Frank Marshall, Ryan Suffern | Stars: Glen David Andrews, Philip Bailey, Tarriona Ball, Sam Bardfeld

Votes: 220

25. Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (2019)

TV-14 | 89 min | Documentary, Biography, Music

7.0

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 7/10 X

64 Metascore

The times and life of the unique Ella Fitzgerald.

Director: Leslie Woodhead | Stars: Ella Fitzgerald, Norma Miller, Ray Brown Jr., Laura Mvula

Votes: 577

26. Eastwood After Hours: Live at Carnegie Hall (1997 TV Special)

Unrated | 106 min | Documentary, Music

6.9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X

Movie star and jazz afficionado Clint Eastwood presents some of his favorite music in an evening that celebrates a uniquely American art form as the soundtracks of many of his films are ... See full summary »

Director: Bruce Ricker | Stars: Kenny Barron, Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, Jon Faddis

Votes: 74

27. Bert Stern: Original Madman (2011)

Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary

6.7

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.7/10 X

35 Metascore

"Bert Stern: Original Mad Man" is the definitive voyage into the life and work of one of America's most influential photographers. Photographing the world's most alluring women in fashion ... See full summary »

Director: Shannah Laumeister Stern | Stars: Bert Stern, Shannah Laumeister Stern, Albert D'Annibale, Dorothy Tristan

Votes: 287 | Gross: $0.03M

28. The 64th Annual Grammy Awards (2022 TV Special)

TV-14 | 153 min | Music, Reality-TV

5.8

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5.8/10 X

Festivities at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas honor excellence in the recording industry; scheduled performers include Brothers Osborne, BTS, Brandi Carlisle, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow and Olivia Rodrigo.

Directors: Hamish Hamilton, George Flanigen, James B. Merryman | Stars: Dua Lipa, Rachel Zegler, Jared Leto, Lady Gaga

Votes: 150

29. Sid Bernstein Presents... (2010)

100 min | Documentary

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X

Filmed on Super 16 mm film, Sid Bernstein Presents is the story of the man who brought the Beatles to America. But the beauty of the film comes from Sid's own story. An adopted kid from ... See full summary »

Directors: Jason Ressler, Evan Strome | Stars: Paul Anka, Adam Bernstein, Beau Bernstein, Casey Bernstein