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Jazz on a Summer's Day (1959)

Not Rated | | Documentary, Music | 2 May 1960 (Sweden)
Jazz on a Summer's Day Poster
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 ... See full summary »

Directors:

Aram Avakian, Bert Stern

Writers:

Albert D'Annibale, Arnold Perl

Stars:

Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Chuck Berry | See full cast & crew »
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ON DISC
1 win. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Armstrong ... Himself
Mahalia Jackson ... Herself
Gerry Mulligan Gerry Mulligan ... Himself
Dinah Washington ... Herself
Chico Hamilton ... Himself
Anita O'Day ... Herself
George Shearing ... Himself
Jimmy Giuffre ... Himself
Chuck Berry ... Himself
Jack Teagarden ... Himself
Thelonious Monk ... Himself
Big Maybelle Big Maybelle ... Herself
Sonny Stitt Sonny Stitt ... Himself
Eli's Chosen Six Eli's Chosen Six ... Themselves
David Baily David Baily ... Himself
See full cast »
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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. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

national film registry | jazz | concert film | jazz score | See All (4) »

Taglines:

Their Songs and Music Set the Musical Mood

Genres:

Documentary | Music

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 May 1960 (Sweden) See more »

Also Known As:

Bert Stern's Jazz on a Summer's Day See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galaxy Productions (I), Raven Films See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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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. See more »

Connections

Featured in Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer (2007) See more »

Soundtracks

I Ain't Mad at You
Performed by Big Maybelle
See more »

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User Reviews

cheat
7 March 2015 | by eddiekent – See all my reviews

I saw the film in London when it first came out. Purely by chance. I just couldn't believe the beginning: an extraordinary closeup of Jimmy Giuffre's lips (and spit) on an enormous screen. The rest of the film was fun and in fact I saw it a few times later (unfortunately having to leave before the end - I can easily do without the lord's prayer for the remainder of my stay here. I then acquired the CD; good enough. But I had to see that image again so I bought the DVD. And would you believe it - the crummy bastards have wrecked it. Still Jimmy Giuffre, and still Train and the River. But ordinary. This leaves a gaping hole in my soul and I can no longer watch it. Why would anyone do that?
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