Jeremy Marre
Told in Count Basie's own words, this biography sheds light on both the professional and the private life of the world-famous bandleader and pianist who became a jazz icon for his generation.
Big Bill Broonzy would inspire a generation of musicians, yet he was not the man they believed him to be. This first, very intimate, biography of the pioneering bluesman uncovers the mystery of who Broonzy really was and follows his remarkable and colorful journey from the racist Deep South to the clubs of Chicago and all across the world. With contributions from Pete Seeger, Ray Davies, Keith Richards, Martin Carthy, John Renbourn, and members of the Broonzy family. Broonzy's own words are read by Clarke Peters.
Carlos Santana, the legendary Mexican-American guitarist and songwriter, reveals his turbulent life story with astonishing intimacy, accompanied by previously unseen archive performances of many of his best-known tunes. These range from Evil Ways and Black Magic Woman to the massive hits from his later Supernatural album. Santana recounts to director Jeremy Marre the abuse and struggle of his early years, the invention of Latin rock in San Francisco, his triumph at Woodstock, his involvement with jealous guru Sri Chinmoy and guitarist John McLaughlin, and the rollercoaster years that followed. This frank and very personal depiction of a remarkable forty-year career, fuelled by his 'angels and demons', is illustrated with behind-the-scenes footage uncovered for the first time, interviews with former members of the band, producers and musicians, and many performances from the early 70s that depict his unmistakable guitar style.
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
The story behind Elvis's first album features performances from 1955 and '56, interviews with the King and rare home movies of him at play and work.
British series stressing the role of, and showing different kinds of, improvisation in music. Produced for UK's Channel Four. Written and narrated by Derek Bailey.
Documentary - Though many outside of Brazil know samba and bossa nova through the works of crossover artists such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, the music has deep roots in Brazilian culture and history. THE SPIRIT OF SAMBA makes a complete survey of one of Brazil's national treasures. - Chico Barque, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento
In the early 1980s, China was emerging from the repressive Cultural Revolution, which attempted to destroy Chinese classical and folk music. Cautiously, musicians, singers, composers and conductors re-emerged, returning from exile and reviving the ancient music of a vast and ethnically diverse country. This film takes us to that very moment of regeneration, when director Jeremy Marre wove his way across China – from Shanghai to the Gobi desert – battling to avoid the ‘official’ ensembles and discover China’s real musical soul. In Beijing, he was able to film Want Wen Guang, master of the ancient ququin instrument, in a passionate performance any blues guitarist would be proud of; and later we encounter drummer and Taoist priest Mo Zhong, whose hands were broken during the Cultural Revolution in order to keep him from playing. Today, DJs pipe muzak to the workers and the Shanghai music halls echo to the rhythms of the Chinese Tango as China looks to combine past and future.
Music/Musical - This video travelogue showcases of the music of Japan which blends western styles like jazz, rock and blues. From the goofy, high-stakes world of teen pop, to a look at a master shakuhachi (traditional flute) player, to old-line music hall shows, SUKIYAKI AND CHIPS demonstrates the dizzying spectrum of Japanese music.
This documentary journeys to the violent marijuana-producing regions of northern Colombia to examine the drug trade's influence on the community and its culture, including a unique style of indigenous music known as vallenato.
Even today, at the king of Thailands birthday celebrations, massed bands play His Majesty’s own compositions, whilst the King plays his clarinet in the royal recording studio. But the musical underbelly of the country had never been exposed before this film, which - by contrast - captures the cabarets and boxing rings of Thailand, and the true street-level music.
Documentary - From Baptist to bluegrass, this PBS documentary examines the unique culture of religious music in the Appalachian Mountains. - Bobby Akers, Dee Hicks, Delta Hicks
Producing more than 750 feature films each year, the Indian movie industry could very well become the world's next Hollywood. And with 100,000,000 viewers each week, the market is more than viable. This innovative film goes behind the scenes with the actors, singers and musical directors (including Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar and Kalyanji Anandji) who help create the Bollywood spectacles fans love -- and expect.
Along a thousand miles of the Rio Grande, Mexican and American cultures have mingled to produce Tex-Mex music – the impassioned statement of the border people. Since the Mexican revolution, this music has been the mouthpiece and spirit of the Tex-Mex community. Today, like most border regions, the area is a cultural melting pot, marked by violence and drug running, illegal immigrants and shady business dealings.
The Romany Trail Part Two is a penetrating, provocative tour of a fabled people’s existence. It reveals the prejudice they still face daily and which they combat with the lyrics and music they have carried and adapted on their long migrations. Featuring: The music of Django Reinhardt, the ballads of the Holocaust, Hungarian folk musicians and professional restaurant bands, pipers and the greatest names in Gypsy entertainment.
The Romany Trail Part One takes us on a search for the lost gypsy tribes of Egypt, up the Nile to the ancient town of Luxor in the shadow of the great Pharaoh’s tombs. Along the way, from the markets of Cairo to the temple of Karnak, we meet dancing girls and acrobats, magicians, fortune-tellers and even mystics performing an exorcism. The programme culminates in the rhythms of Flamenco, in the gypsy caves of the Alhambra, where some of Spain’s foremost gypsy families celebrate their history.
The ART WE DESERVE is an film essay by Richard Cork about the gulf between minority art and mass culture. Examining the public’s preference for bland mass reproduction pictures which are traditional in style and ‘look nice’, the modern artist’s tendency to create an insular, inward-looking art for an educated elite and the media’s unwillingness to take modern art seriously, the film argues that the sense of alienation between artist and the public is largely the result of a class-divided society.
Konkombe is an extraordinary journey into the musical kaleidoscope of juju, Afrobeat, highlife, Afro-pop, and Lagos street music that makes up the Nigerian pop music scene. From traditional minstrels wandering the streets of Lagos to the talking drums of the Saharan north, from recording session with stars of juju and highlife to an intimate visit with Fela surrounded by his exotic wives, Konkombe looks at the entire spectrum of Nigerian music from its primitive roots to the most exciting stars of Afro-pop. Features performances, intimate interviews and recording sessions with some of the biggest stars of African music including King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Sonny Okosun, I.K. Dairo and more.
Rhythm of Resistance examines the vital role of music in the lives of black South Africans under the oppressive regime of apartheid.
'Salsa' captures a unique moment in time for this most exuberant and socially dynamic music.
'Roots Rock Reggae' depicts an unforgettable moment in Jamaica's history when music defined the island's struggles and immortalized its heroes. Director Jeremy Marre films Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Lee 'Scratch' Perry record in his legendary Black Ark studio with The Upsetters. Jimmy Cliff rehearses with Sly and Robbie, while Inner Circle's historic live gig is recorded on the violent Kingston streets. The legendary Abyssinians harmonize their haunting Rastafarian songs; Joe Higgs (formerly Bob Marley's teacher) plays and talks; majestic toaster U Roy raps alongside The Mighty Diamonds, and Third World record in a Kingston studio. There is also early archive footage of Toots and the Maytals, and Haile Selessie's royal visit to Jamaica while police and thieves battle it out on the streets, and the ghettos erupt in violence. 1977: An extraordinary year for Reggae music.
