Various - Jazz on a Summer’s Day

  by Lisa Torem

published: 8 / 10 / 2015

Label: Charly Records
Format: CD

intro

Illuminating CD/DVD package of Bert Stern's influential documentary of 1958's Newport Jazz Festival which featured Louis Armstrong, Thelonius Monk and Mahalia Jackson

Until you understand Bert Stern’s back-story you might not understand why this then novice filmmaker created this documentary the way he did. At first, it appears that there are two separate stories taking place — you see the totally-in-the-moment Jimmy Giuffre Trio performing ‘The Train and The River’, slide trombone and sax grinding out erratic runs on the Newport Jazz Festival Stage and suddenly the camera cuts away to stunning reflections on the lake that morph into fascinating shapes. Is this an art film? Is this a jazz spectacle? It seems that ambitious stills photographer Bert Stern developed a bee in his bonnet after meeting up with Elaine Lorillard, co-promoter with George Wein, when invited to attend the Newport Jazz Festival in wealthy Rhode Island. Stern was fascinated with the contrasts and confluences he observed: upper crust Caucasian families and musicians of colour, some who had risen from poverty. He toyed with the idea of filming the event but needed a story line, and never quite found one. He just about gave up the idea and flew home. As luck would have it, a passenger on the plane asked the ambiguous artist about his visit. When Stern relayed that he considered making a film but decided against it, the stranger urged him to go back and make it happen. Stern did go back and decided to approach the film artistically, as though it were an impressionist painting. Stern felt that jazz is often buried in a dank, smoke-filled basement and here was a chance to shine some sun on the subject. And that story line? Well, ultimately he decided to allow the audience members and main stage musicians to tell it their own way. Given that explanation, the film really hangs together in an unusual way and the line-up was unbelievable. And who was there and why? Stern let the fans and not-quite fans respond. A moderator interviews two attendees about their reason for coming. The man sounds excited. He wants to see Gerry Mulligan. The woman? “I don’t know why I’m here,” she laughs. “I’m just along for the ride.” Thelonius Monk was introduced as a composer comparable to Duke Ellington. On stage, Monk concentrates fully on his playing. The camera pans to audience responses. A few people look downright perplexed as they take in these atonal melodies. Stern cuts away to the ongoing sailing regatta where, as the music crescendos, the sails drift into the distance like folded shark fins. Monk’s original music is rewarded with an outpouring of applause. Laundry hanging from a clothesline led to the smooth jazz of Sonny Stitt and Sal Salvador breaking into ‘Loose Walk’ and then Anita O’Day took back the stage to croon ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and to display her one-off garment — a black dress hemmed with white feathers which matched those on her wide-brimmed hat. Typical of the era, she wore white gloves. As she scatted and traded licks with the percussionist during ‘Tea for Two,’ the audience warmed considerably. It’s clear that the promoters wanted families to feel welcome. That said, several musicians were shown on a small train in the nearby playground. But that’s not all that happened. Couples slow danced cheek to cheek on roofs and a cellist diligently practiced a classical piece as smoke swirled around his face. The aforementioned Gerry Mulligan and the Concert Jazz Band looked like they were having a blast as they dove into the catchy instrumental ‘As Catch Can’. George Shearing played some riveting Cuban jazz and Dinah Washington belted out ‘All of Me’, her voice clear as water from a brook. Big Maybelle sported a feminine white dress. On her forehead rested a tiny tiara. But that voice was colossal. And what a surprise it was to see Chuck Berry. And why was this rock and roll king performing at a jazz festival? Coupled with a clarinet? Wearing a bolo tie? The story that’s told is that Wein cringed when Berry did his iconic duck walk, but the crowd roared and that’s exactly what you want. Another contrast occurred when the Chico Hamilton Quartet played the oozing ‘Blue Sands’ featuring dreamy flute and volcanic drumming. Louis Armstrong was the headliner and was treated like royalty. “The city is yours,” said the moderator. The iconic trumpet player chatted and kidded before singing ballad ‘Up the Lazy River’ and then blasted forth the furious rhythms of ‘Tiger Rag’. With Jack Teagarden he let loose a delightfully funny vocal call and response on ‘Rockin’ Chair’ and ended the exuberant set with ‘When the Saints Go Marchin’ In’. The audience couldn’t get enough. “It’s Sunday, it’s time for the world’s greatest Gospel singer,” was heard before Mahalia Jackson took the mic. The best was yet to come. Like the domino effect, a pin drop silence spread across the manicured lawn. She opened with ‘Walk All Over God’s Heaven’, moved on to the curious patter of ‘Didn’t It Rain’ and finished with ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Apparently, Stern was asked not to film this part as it was considered too sacred, but he couldn’t help himself. Jackson looked like an angel. Her vocalizing was so expressive and showed such restraint that even toddlers stopped moving their jittery bodies to appreciate her gift. The audience became transformed, but so did she. Before tackling her first song she looked so intimidated that you weren’t sure if she’d finish, but midset she flashed a bashful smile (after receiving an excited round of applause) and gratefully announced, “You made me feel like I’m a star.” Fortunately for Stern, letting his audience and the performers do the storytelling was an act of genius. His trail and error techniques would be imitated by countless other documentarians—a decade later, the world would witness ‘Woodstock’. The Newport Jazz Fest has been there to witness the likes of jazz great Miles Davis and even some rockers and it’s still going strong. Octogenarian George Wein still scours the clubs looking for new annual acts and, hopefully, future fledgling filmmakers will do their part to share the bliss. The DVD, which includes an interview with Stern, the complete soundtrack and an illuminating booklet documenting pertinent facts about the headliners are couched in an attractive, easy-to-open jacket — it’s not too early to think about stocking stuffers.

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