Author Topic: The Jazz Loft According to W. Eugene Smith (Read 4132 times)

hookstrapped · « **on:** September 28, 2016, 10:49:12 AM »

Saw this amazing new movie about W. Eugene Smith's jazz loft project.

I wasn't even aware of the book but the movie, where his photos are combined with the audio of him recording EVERYTHING that happened in that loft, is maybe what he had in mind.

Great music (Thelonius Monk, Zoot Sims, many others) and a story of an amazing time and place hosted by Smith for a number of years in the late 50s / early 60s in the Flower District, over looking 6th Ave. Smith's pictures of the musicians, pictures out the window, pictures, pictures, pictures.

A great portrait of genius -- Smith and the musicians he hosted. In NYC it's playing at the Metrograph in the LES.

http://metrograph.com/film/film/444/the-jazz-loft-according-to-w-eugene-smith

hookstrapped · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2016, 01:25:55 PM »

Here's the trailer (which doesn't do it justice -- the movie is mindblowing in so many ways)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EheTr-wyLPg

imagesfrugales · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2016, 02:15:09 PM »

Looks fine and it's played in a real cinema. Unfortunately I have no chance to go to NY to see the movie. DVD available? Didn't find anything? There's a book on amazon for 178 $ .....

Looks like a killer project on classic 50s - 60s bw jazz photog, sigh². It was also the golden age of stereophony, sigh again.

hookstrapped · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2016, 02:47:24 PM »

The movie just came out so I imagine a DVD is forthcoming

Indofunk · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2016, 05:02:32 PM »

The Metrograph site only gives showtimes for today. Is today the last day? I might have to rearrange my plans to see it!

hookstrapped · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:18:57 PM »

Quote from: Indofunk on September 28, 2016, 05:02:32 PM

The Metrograph site only gives showtimes for today. Is today the last day? I might have to rearrange my plans to see it!

Yeah, looks like today is the last day. You gotta go see it

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2016, 06:47:38 PM »

Thank goodness for analogue media. I just watched Magic Trip, Ken Kesey's films of the Kool-Aid bus ride across the US in '64, but it's taken 50 years to package them into a movie. (Free on Amazon, btw.)

I'll keep an eye out for this.

imagesfrugales · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2016, 07:31:48 PM »

Quote from: Sandeha Lynch on September 28, 2016, 06:47:38 PM

Thank goodness for analogue media. I just watched Magic Trip, Ken Kesey's films of the Kool-Aid bus ride across the US in '64, but it's taken 50 years to package them into a movie. (Free on Amazon, btw.)

So many great films. My favorite bw so far is "Soy Cuba", an epic milestone with lots of fantastic IR scenes and unbelievable camera moves. Unpatiently waiting for the jazz loft to be available in old Europe.

Indofunk · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2016, 08:01:15 PM »

Quote from: hookstrapped on September 28, 2016, 06:18:57 PM

Quote from: Indofunk on September 28, 2016, 05:02:32 PM
The Metrograph site only gives showtimes for today. Is today the last day? I might have to rearrange my plans to see it!

Yeah, looks like today is the last day. You gotta go see it

I am here now

Nigel · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2016, 08:31:45 PM »

I've been following this project for some time. I'm a big W. Eugene Smith fan, that mixed with great jazz music should be worth watching. I hope it gets a cinema release in the UK.

hookstrapped · « **Reply #10 on:** September 28, 2016, 08:52:10 PM »

It can be rented through iTunes, Amazon, etc. starting October 7 (scroll to bottom)

http://www.wnyc.org/jazzloftthemovie/

Indofunk · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2016, 10:18:15 PM »

Ok, I just watched the movie and Peter wasn't nearly superlative enough about it. It may be the best movie I've ever seen. So inspiring, both photographically and musically. Pretty sure my jaw did not leave the floor for the entire 2 hours. Every one of the photos was absolute perfection. All of his home recordings (especially the music) were beautiful and poignant. I'm definitely going to preorder a hard copy. It'll go right next to the Quincy Troupe Miles Davis autobiography on my shelf of inspiration

Bryan · « **Reply #12 on:** September 29, 2016, 12:24:02 AM »

I'm going to have to check this out, I think my wife will really enjoy it as well. We both love the Jazz from the 50's and 60's.

calbisu · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2016, 09:11:13 AM »

It really looks/sounds good

eagerly waiting for October the 7th

Late Developer · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2016, 11:23:12 AM »

I really like the photography but I know so little about jazz and, as a result, I struggle to appreciate the nuances of the music. I know what I like when I hear it and I definitely know that I like a lot of the fusion stuff like Return to Forever, John McLaughlin, etc.

I must get myself some more of the 50s/60s work that seems so popular to aficionados - and see whether I can get my head round it a bit more....

irv_b · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2016, 07:08:42 PM »

Quote from: Nigel on September 28, 2016, 08:31:45 PM

I've been following this project for some time. I'm a big W. Eugene Smith fan, that mixed with great jazz music should be worth watching. I hope it gets a cinema release in the UK.

I also can't wait for a UK release, hopefully it'll be in a small independent picture house with an appreciative audience

Nigel · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2016, 05:49:25 PM »

I've just downloaded a copy from Apple. I don't like buying stuff from Apple or the idea of watching it on the tv, but needs must. If it's as good as I hope I'll still see it at the cinema if it comes out here.

calbisu · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2016, 10:17:38 AM »

I am just unable to download/purchase a copy of the movie. I could not find it out in the itunes store, I guess it has to do with distribution rights and so on...

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2016, 11:49:23 AM »

It's on Amazon, at least here in the UK.

Blaxton · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2016, 03:33:39 AM »

My copy of the book arrived today and I just purchased the film via Amazon. Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. I am a longtime admirer of Wonderful Eugene Smith—that sad, tortured, beautiful genius.

Matt

Jeff Warden · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2016, 03:43:36 PM »

Thanks for the heads up! I've had the book for a few years and recommend it highly, but didn't know about the movie. Watched it last night. So good.

For those that might not have heard, there is also a ten part podcast called The Jazz Loft Radio Series that was produced by WNYC. It's outstanding.

Jeff

Nigel · « **Reply #21 on:** October 13, 2016, 06:37:30 PM »

Quote from: Blaxton on October 12, 2016, 03:33:39 AM

My copy of the book arrived today and I just purchased the film via Amazon. Many thanks for bringing this to our attention. I am a longtime admirer of Wonderful Eugene Smith—that sad, tortured, beautiful genius.

Matt

Hi Matt, where did you get the book? I've wanted a copy for years but it's £200 upwards on Amazon!