Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Vince Giordano | ... | Self - Band leader | |
Garrison Keillor | ... | Self | |
David Johansen | ... | Self | |
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Terry Gross | ... | Self - Interviewer (voice) |
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George Wein | ... | Self |
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Catherine Russell | ... | Self |
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Andy Stein | ... | Self - Violinist |
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Mark Lopeman | ... | Self - Reeds |
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Jim Fryer | ... | Self - Trombone |
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Jon-Erik Kellso | ... | Self - Cornet |
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Dan Levinson | ... | Self - Reeds |
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Mike Ponella | ... | Self - Trumpet |
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Ken Salvo | ... | Self - Banjo / Guitar |
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Peter Yarin | ... | Self - Pianist |
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Adrian Cunningham | ... | Self - Reeds |
A feature-length documentary about musician, scholar and bandleader Vince Giordano who, with his 11-member band The Nighthawks, has doggedly kept alive the popular music of the 1920s and '30s for the past forty years. Through Vince's story, the viewer will be immersed in the Hot Jazz and Swing that fueled Prohibition high-jinx and cheered up Depression-era America. And they will see what it takes to make a life as a professional jazz musician in 21st Century New York. Giordano's dedication, along with a handful of others, has kept this cultural phenomenon on life support through hard times, and introduced it to a new generation of Hot Jazz devotees and virtuosos who are laying claim to this joyful, energetic music.
The movie was fabulous. It was very entertaining and moved along at a nice pace with plenty of music and interesting history along the way. Many of the Nighthawk band members spoke about their experiences with the band as well as a few of the other bands in NYC where they perform outside of their regular Nighthawks gigs. Plenty of action shots helped keep this movie lively & fun. It's enlightening to witness the effort and dedication Mr.Giordano has invested over his lifetime. The library of music and arrangements he has accumulated, along with the challenges presented having to travel and manage an eleven member band are seemingly impossible yet he stays with it year after year. I was so engrossed in the story I didn't want this movie to end, but it did and I am ready for part two if ever it happens. I'll be there if and when it does.