New jazz film

[Hardbopjazz]

Don't know if this was discussed here, but this sounds like it will be something worth seeing.

New Jazz Film to Make History

They Died Before 40

Many people may have heard of Charlie Parker, who died at 34. Some may have heard of Bix Beiderbecke who died at 28. But how many people have heard of Herschel Evans, who died before reaching 30? There is very little known about him and more than two dozen other great jazz artists. Their stories should be told. For example, Jo Jones, drummer and an integral part of the Count Basie band for many years, has called Evans the greatest musician he ever played with. He said that Evans made everyone he played with better.

Who was this giant, what made him an important creative artist and why did he die so young? These are questions that this film will answer concerning Evans and many more. Also to be featured are Charlie Christian, Fats Waller, Jimmy Blanton, Bunny Berigan, Clifford Brown, Chick Webb and Chu Berry.

Others to be included will be Bix Beiderbecke, Bunny Berigan, Fats Navarro, Oscar Pettiford, Eric Dolphy, Paul Chambers, Serge Chaloff, Sonny Berman, Frank Teschemacher, Lee Morgan and about a dozen more.

Through music, archival film footage, photographs, reminiscences and expert discourse we will learn more about these artists, develop an appreciation of their artistry and reveal how and why their careers were cut short. This film will expand our cultural heritage for this internationally renowned art form.

The film will be produced and directed by Howard E. Fischer, an attorney who has represented jazz musicians and arts organizations and was the founder of the New York Jazz Museum in 1972 and its Executive Director until 1977. He also produced, wrote and directed the acclaimed film, THE HOLLAND AVENUE BOYS: A SUCCESS STORY, that appeared on over 50 PBS stations. Dan Morgenstern, Director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, a renowned jazz historian, author, editor, and archivist active in the jazz field since 1958 will be a consultant to the project.

Financial participation is available and film footage, photographs plus any documents, contacts for family members, musicians and others who knew them are sought.

More information can be had at http://www.kickstar ter.com/projects /jazzfilm/ they-died- before-40- new-jazz- film-0.

link to more

Contact:

Howard Fischer

155 West 72nd Street, #404, New York, NY 10023

(212) 579-0689 (m-f 9am to 3pm)

Email: info@A1documentarie s.com

Here is list of some that died before 40.

Who Are They (the first eight will be featured)

Charlie Christian, guitar - died at 23 in 1942

Chu Berry, tenor saxophone - died at 31 in 1941

Jimmy Blanton, bass - died at 21 in 1942

Bunny Berigan, trumpet - died at 33 in 1942

Clifford Brown, trumpet - died at 25 in 1956

Chick Webb, drums - died at 30 in 1939

Herschel Evans, tenor saxophone - died at 30 in 1939

Fats Waller, piano, vocals - died at 39 in 1943

Charlie Parker, alto saxophone - died at 34 in 1955

Bix Beiderbecke, cornet - died at 28 in 1931

Fats Navarro, trumpet - died at 26 in 1950

Sonny Berman, trumpet - died at 22 in 1947

Lee Morgan, trumpet - died at 33 in 1972

Clyde Hart, piano - died at 34 in 1945

Lil Green, vocals - died at 35 in 1954

Eddie Costa, piano, vibes - died at 32 in 1962

Robert Johnson, singer, guitar - died at 27 in 1938

Dick Wilson, tenor saxophone - died at 30 in 1941

Wynton Kelly, piano - died at 39 in 1971

Tommy Ladnier, trumpet - died at 39 in 1939

James "Bubber" Miley, trumpet - died at 29 in 1932

Nat Jaffe, piano - died at 27 in 1945

Frank Teschemacher, clarinet, saxes - died at 25 in 1933

Eddie Lang, guitar - died at 30 in 1933

Wardell Gray, tenor saxophone - died at 34 in 1955

Albert Ayler, tenor saxophone - died at 34 in 1970

Dinah Washington, vocals - died at 39 in 1963

Serge Chaloff, baritone saxophone - died at 33 in 1957

Clarence "Pinetop" Smith, piano, vocals - died at 24 in 1929

Eric Dolphy, saxophone - died at 36 in 1964

The list would be larger if it included those that died before 50.

Edited April 28, 2010 by Hardbopjazz

[mikeweil]

Paul Chambers, bass, died at 34 in 1969

Scott La Faro, bass, died at 25 in 1961

Oscar Dennard, piano, died at 32 in 1960

Booker Ervin, tenor sax, died at 39 in 1970

Wade Legge, piano, died at 29 in 1963

Richie Powell, piano, died at 24 in 1956

...and of course John Coltrane, sax, died at 40 in1967

Edited April 27, 2010 by mikeweil

[Michael Weiss]

Sonny Clark

Doug Watkins

[Dan Gould]

Bobby Timmons was 9 months shy of 40 when he died in 1974.

[AllenLowe]

is that film musician list in human years or dog years?

[umum_cypher]

'Financial participation is available'. Nicely put!

[Cyril]

Booker Little ,age 23, October 5, 1961

Joe Gordon died on November 4, 1963 at the young age of 35 years.

Michel Petrucciani was 36...

[Chuck Nessa]

George Fuller stillborn.

[Christiern]

[brownie]

Some other way-too-young jazz deaths...

Tubby Hayes, died at 38 in 1973

Bobby Jaspar, died at 37 in 1963

Jaco Pastorius, died at 36 in 1989

Chano Pozo, died at 33 in 1948

Lem Winchester, died at 33 in 1961

[mikeweil]

Leo Parker, baritone sax, died at 36 in 1962

Geez, that list grows far too long ...

[Christiern]

Perhaps this film concept will die in 2010.

[Hardbopjazz]

Wes Montgomery is another.

[AllenLowe]

well, I contacted Fischer, and I now own 140 percent of this movie -

that's me on the right, Fischer on the left -

Edited April 28, 2010 by AllenLowe

[king ubu]

just read this elsewhere... well, main thing they already know it "makes history"

[Dan Gould]

well, I contacted Fischer, and I now own 140 percent of this movie -

that's me on the right, Fischer on the left -

Did you at least make him play the Contessa and the Chauffeur before you signed on the dotted line?

[AllenLowe]

no, but he DID buy me a hot dog -

[Christiern]

I guess you guys don't know Fischer's background. Think NY Jazz Museum, some 40 years ago.

[AllenLowe]

was that his mess? I went there when I was VERY young.

[Hardbopjazz]

I guess you guys don't know Fischer's background. Think NY Jazz Museum, some 40 years ago.

Can you tell us more?

[Cyril]

Dick Twardzik died at the age of just 24.

[Cyril]

Serge Chaloff died aged 33