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IMDbPro

Jammin' the Blues

  • 19441944
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 10m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
940
YOUR RATING
Lester Young in Jammin' the Blues (1944)
  • Documentary
  • Short
  • Music
Created under the guidance of jazz impresario and Verve Records founder Norman Granz, this short captures the spontaneity of a jam session and is one of few film records of black jazzers of ... Read allCreated under the guidance of jazz impresario and Verve Records founder Norman Granz, this short captures the spontaneity of a jam session and is one of few film records of black jazzers of the day including tenor sax legend Lester Young.Created under the guidance of jazz impresario and Verve Records founder Norman Granz, this short captures the spontaneity of a jam session and is one of few film records of black jazzers of the day including tenor sax legend Lester Young.
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
940
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gjon Mili
  • Stars
    • Lester Young
    • George 'Red' Callender
    • Harry Edison
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gjon Mili
  • Stars
    • Lester Young
    • George 'Red' Callender
    • Harry Edison
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lester Young
    Lester Young
    • Self - on Tenor Saxas Self - on Tenor Sax
    George 'Red' Callender
    George 'Red' Callender
    • Self - on Bassas Self - on Bass
    • (as Red Callender)
    Harry Edison
    Harry Edison
    • Self - on Trumpetas Self - on Trumpet
    Marlowe Morris
    • Self - on Pianoas Self - on Piano
    Sidney Catlett
    Sidney Catlett
    • Self - on Drumsas Self - on Drums
    Barney Kessel
    Barney Kessel
    • Self - on Guitaras Self - on Guitar
    Jo Jones
    Jo Jones
    • Self - on Drumsas Self - on Drums
    • (as Joe Jones)
    John Simmons
    • Self - on Bassas Self - on Bass
    Illinois Jacquet
    • Self - on Tenor Saxas Self - on Tenor Sax
    Marie Bryant
    Marie Bryant
    • Self - Singer and Danceras Self - Singer and Dancer
    Archie Savage
    Archie Savage
    • Self - Danceras Self - Dancer
    Garland Finney
    • Selfas Self
    • (uncredited)
    Knox Manning
    Knox Manning
    • Narratoras Narrator
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Gjon Mili
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Reportedly, during the filming of this short, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart paid a visit to the set and observed filming (hearing that something great was happening). According to one musician, Bogart came up to him and said, "Are you getting paid good money for this? If you aren't, you should strike!"
    • Quotes

      [first lines]

      Narrator: This - is a jam session. Quite often, these great artists gather and play, ad lib, hot music. It could be called a midnight symphony.

    • Connections
      Featured in Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Midnight Symphony
      (uncredited)

      Written by Lester Young

      Performed by Lester Young, George 'Red' Callender, Harry Edison, Marlowe Morris, and Sidney Catlett

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Lester Smooths It Out
    Maybe the greatest film ever about jazz.

    It IS jazz.

    The opening shot continues to haunt my reverie.

    Lester, of course, is wonderful and out of this world.

    Jo Jones is always a delight (see The Sound of Jazz as well).

    If you can, find the music; it's available on CD.

    All lovers of jazz and film noir should study this tremendous jewel.

    What shadows and light - what music - what a hat!
    helpful•23
    0
    • wglenn
    • Jul 11, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 5, 1944 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Играя блюз
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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