Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)

The highlights of the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.

Director:

Bert Stern

Writers:

Albert D'Annibale, Arnold Perl

Stars:

Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Berry

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Armstrong	...	Self
Mahalia Jackson	...	Self
Gerry Mulligan	...	Self
Dinah Washington	...	Self
Chico Hamilton	...	Self
Anita O'Day	...	Self
George Shearing	...	Self
Jimmy Giuffre	...	Self
Chuck Berry	...	Self
Jack Teagarden	...	Self
Thelonious Monk	...	Self
Big Maybelle	...	Self
Sonny Stitt	...	Self
Eli's Chosen Six	...	Themselves
David Baily	...	Self

Storyline

Set at the Newport jazz festival in 1958, this documentary mixes images of water and the town with performers and audience. The film progresses from day to night and from improvisational music to Gospel. It's a concert film that suggests peace and leisure, jazz at a particular time and place.

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | jazz | concert film | jazz score | 

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Taglines:

...love on a Summer's Night!

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Genres:

Documentary | Music

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1958, Bert Stern was inspired by a friend to take some pictures of the Newport Jazz Festival. Following a turn of events, Stern decided to produce a full-length motion picture.

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Quotes

Louis Armstrong: I saw the Pope too, you know. And he's a fine little fella, you know. He was tickled to death to know that the Italian people enjoyed our music and he could speak on any subject, in all kind of languages, you know. So, he - he's alright man, he asked me, "You got any children?", you know. I said, well, "No, Daddy, but we still wailin'." He say - He said, "But, I'm going to pray for you. I'm going to pray for you."
[laughs]

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Connections

Featured in Jazz (2001)

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Soundtracks

Rockin' Chair
Music and Lyrics by Hoagy Carmichael
Performed by Louis Armstrong

User Reviews

Just to add to the above...

I agree with the other review almost completely, except just to point out that the scene mentioned above does not feature Fred Katz. Rather, it's Nathan (Nat) Gershman, who succeeded Katz in the cellist chair in 1958...

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 1960 (France)

Also Known As:

Bert Stern's Jazz on a Summer's Day

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galaxy Productions (I), Raven Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1