Directed by
Mili, Gjon, Albanian American, 1904 - 1984
Distributed by
Warner Bros. Pictures, American, founded 1923
Subject of
Young, Lester, American, 1909 - 1959
Callender, Red, American, 1916 - 1992
Catlett, Sidney, American, 1910 - 1951
Bryant, Marie, American, 1919 - 1978
Savage, Archie, American, 1914 - 2003
Owned by
Smith, Ernie, American, ca. 1925 - 2004
Date
1944
Medium
acetate film
Dimensions
Duration (digital file): 00:10:44
Physical extent (film): 360 ft
Description
A short film with the title Jammin' the Blues. It consists of a single reel of positive, black-and-white, 16mm acetate film with bilateral variable-area optical sound. It opens with the narrator saying "This is a jam session. Quite often, these artists gather and play ad lib pop music. It could be called a midnight symphony." As he speaks, Lester Young appears on the screen wearing a pork pie hat. Next, Red Callender can be seeing playing the bass. Eventually, all members of the band become visible. As the camera focuses on Harry "Sweets" playing the trumpet, Marie Bryant walks on stage and sings the lyrics to "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Bass player Red Callender stands beside her as she sings. In the next scene, Sid Catlett is seated at a drum set. He is approached by Jo Jones who takes the drum sticks from Catlett and proceeds with a solo performance. The other band members then join him in performance. Marie Bryan and dancer Archie Savage then begin to do a dance routine. The camera focuses on different instrumentalists throughout the performance.
Place made
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
black-and-white films (visual works)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Film
Jazz (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Anonymous Gift in memory of Ernest (Ernie) R. Smith, Jazz Historian
Object number
2015.275.28.1a
Restrictions & Rights
© Warner Brothers Pictures
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f3e4a5a5-e2fa-47f7-8926-263188c879ac

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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