The Fourth Annual New York Jazz Film Festival (NYJFF) has announced its winners for the 2019 season:
A red carpet photo op and awards presentation, open to the public, will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Patricks Place Harlem.
Furthering the next chapter of the festival, which has been an online festival for the past two years and the first to exclusively feature jazz-centric films, NYJFF is close to being acquired by The BeBop Channel (beboptv.com) as soon as October, 2019. The channel currently licenses NYJFF titles from festival producer SVR & Associates. The BeBop Channel, which has plans to go public next year, will be making a push to expand beyond its scripted jazz programming into areas such as jazz festivals, jazz theatrical presentations, and Harlem-centric television programming, says CEO and Duke Ellington Orchestra alum Gregory Charles Royal.
The 2019 festival films can be seen on The BeBop Channel until August 31, 2019. Select NYJFF titles from past seasons appear on the channel's regular lineup.
Director Nadhege Ptah
Paris Blues In Harlem is the story of a young woman and her attempts to save her grandfather’s insolvent Harlem jazz nightclub. She has a few hours to convince her rigid elder to accept a realtor’s briefcase with mounds of cash in exchange for his nightclub. But, as time runs out, he struggles to let go. With only a few seconds left, she is faced with a choice between legacy and money.
Director Arsene Bayanov (Арсен Баянов)
Documentary Almaty ragtime. Boomerang about the legendary Almaty ensemble BOOMERANG, which in the middle of the last century and up to “perestroika" was significant in the jazz of the Soviet Union. The main core and founder of the ensemble was a drummer by nationality Uygur Tahir Ibrahimov. (It is known that most of them live in China (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region) and are now subjected to repression.) He and his brother were the first уйгуры in the USSR. and probably in the world. who played jazz. But after the Soviet Union collapsed, the team collapsed. It was a personal tragedy of a man who then tragically passed away for life. But our documentary isn't just about music, it's a story about a time we called stagnation, and also about today.
Director Mario T Lathan
This Is The Bash. For Haitian Jazz sensation, Jowee Omicil, love serves as the basis for his thematic rhythms called the “Bash” sound. Only this spiritual narrative is more than a theme. Manifested through performance and family, this documentary portrait explores the realization of patience. The triumph of remembrance. How does love sound?
Posthumous Documentary Award Jimmy McGary The Best Jazz You Never Heard
Director Christopher Braig
This one hour look at the jazz world of Cincinnati from 1968 to 1988 features interviews, rare recordings and the only known video of Jimmy McGary performing. The story is told in a non biographical style inviting the audience to experience the music and lifestyle of musicians struggling to eek out a living on the margins while managing to enjoy themselves to the fullest along the way.
Jazz improvisation techniques merged with the radical shifts of the 1960's “Jump Cut Revolutionaries" in France blur the line between music video and documentary. The result is a deeper experience with Jimmy McGary and his music extending beyond mere biography.
Saxophonist Christopher Braig spent ten months filming, editing, recording and documenting the legacy of Cincinnati jazz legend Jimmy McGary (1926-1993). Shot on location in Cincinnati, Louisville, Boston and New York City this is Christopher's first attempt at working in Film.
FEATURING: Wayne Yeager, Lynn Seaton, Pat Kelly, Steve Schmidt, Michael Skaggs, Sean McGary, Chuck Fertal, David Mathews, Rick VanMatre, Lou Lausche and Carol McGary
Director: Oscar Sanders
A collection of archival photographs, videos, and the interview technique with the jazz luminaries of the time, to describe who the innovative violinist Billy Bang was and how he affected the musicians of his world.
The Mickey Bass Quartet Live at Milestones in San Francisco “A Show of Hands” — Out of Competition
Producer: Mitzi Kahand / Mickey Bass
Classic Performance and clips with the late John Hicks and Carter Jefferson as part of bassist Mickey Bass's Quartet which included Michael Carvin on drums.
Director Kevin Hogan
A pitcher teams up with a clever Bee to obtain an advantage during the big game. However, he quickly learns that the Bee itself is more important than winning. A film created entirely, and only, in Microsoft Paint software.
By BlackJazzNews.com (August 29, 2018)
First Annual New York Jazz Film Festival Coming This November
By Carolina Worrell, JazzTimes (October 17, 2016)
Best Narrative Short
Paris Blues In HarlemJazz Ambassador Award
Almaty ragtime. BoomerangBest Director
This Is The BashPosthumous Documentary Award
Jimmy McGary The Best Jazz You Never HeardBest Traditional Documentary Based on a Jazz Musician
- Billy Bang Long Over Due
- The Mickey Bass Quartet Live at Milestones in San Francisco “A Show of Hands”- Out of Competition
A red carpet photo op and awards presentation, open to the public, will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2019 at Patricks Place Harlem.
Furthering the next chapter of the festival, which has been an online festival for the past two years and the first to exclusively feature jazz-centric films, NYJFF is close to being acquired by The BeBop Channel (beboptv.com) as soon as October, 2019. The channel currently licenses NYJFF titles from festival producer SVR & Associates. The BeBop Channel, which has plans to go public next year, will be making a push to expand beyond its scripted jazz programming into areas such as jazz festivals, jazz theatrical presentations, and Harlem-centric television programming, says CEO and Duke Ellington Orchestra alum Gregory Charles Royal.
The 2019 festival films can be seen on The BeBop Channel until August 31, 2019. Select NYJFF titles from past seasons appear on the channel's regular lineup.
2019 New York Jazz Film Festival Winners' Synopses
Best Narrative Short
Paris Blues In HarlemDirector Nadhege Ptah
Paris Blues In Harlem is the story of a young woman and her attempts to save her grandfather’s insolvent Harlem jazz nightclub. She has a few hours to convince her rigid elder to accept a realtor’s briefcase with mounds of cash in exchange for his nightclub. But, as time runs out, he struggles to let go. With only a few seconds left, she is faced with a choice between legacy and money.
Jazz Ambassador Award
Almaty ragtime. BoomerangDirector Arsene Bayanov (Арсен Баянов)
Documentary Almaty ragtime. Boomerang about the legendary Almaty ensemble BOOMERANG, which in the middle of the last century and up to “perestroika" was significant in the jazz of the Soviet Union. The main core and founder of the ensemble was a drummer by nationality Uygur Tahir Ibrahimov. (It is known that most of them live in China (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region) and are now subjected to repression.) He and his brother were the first уйгуры in the USSR. and probably in the world. who played jazz. But after the Soviet Union collapsed, the team collapsed. It was a personal tragedy of a man who then tragically passed away for life. But our documentary isn't just about music, it's a story about a time we called stagnation, and also about today.
Best Director
This Is The BashDirector Mario T Lathan
This Is The Bash. For Haitian Jazz sensation, Jowee Omicil, love serves as the basis for his thematic rhythms called the “Bash” sound. Only this spiritual narrative is more than a theme. Manifested through performance and family, this documentary portrait explores the realization of patience. The triumph of remembrance. How does love sound?
Posthumous Documentary Award Jimmy McGary The Best Jazz You Never Heard
Director Christopher Braig
This one hour look at the jazz world of Cincinnati from 1968 to 1988 features interviews, rare recordings and the only known video of Jimmy McGary performing. The story is told in a non biographical style inviting the audience to experience the music and lifestyle of musicians struggling to eek out a living on the margins while managing to enjoy themselves to the fullest along the way.
Jazz improvisation techniques merged with the radical shifts of the 1960's “Jump Cut Revolutionaries" in France blur the line between music video and documentary. The result is a deeper experience with Jimmy McGary and his music extending beyond mere biography.
Saxophonist Christopher Braig spent ten months filming, editing, recording and documenting the legacy of Cincinnati jazz legend Jimmy McGary (1926-1993). Shot on location in Cincinnati, Louisville, Boston and New York City this is Christopher's first attempt at working in Film.
FEATURING: Wayne Yeager, Lynn Seaton, Pat Kelly, Steve Schmidt, Michael Skaggs, Sean McGary, Chuck Fertal, David Mathews, Rick VanMatre, Lou Lausche and Carol McGary
Best Traditional Documentary Based on a Jazz Musician
Billy Bang Long Over DueDirector: Oscar Sanders
A collection of archival photographs, videos, and the interview technique with the jazz luminaries of the time, to describe who the innovative violinist Billy Bang was and how he affected the musicians of his world.
The Mickey Bass Quartet Live at Milestones in San Francisco “A Show of Hands” — Out of Competition
Producer: Mitzi Kahand / Mickey Bass
Classic Performance and clips with the late John Hicks and Carter Jefferson as part of bassist Mickey Bass's Quartet which included Michael Carvin on drums.
Other
A Stinging FastballDirector Kevin Hogan
A pitcher teams up with a clever Bee to obtain an advantage during the big game. However, he quickly learns that the Bee itself is more important than winning. A film created entirely, and only, in Microsoft Paint software.
Press for New York Jazz Film Festival
Third Annual New York Jazz Film Festival Living Up to Its PromiseBy BlackJazzNews.com (August 29, 2018)
First Annual New York Jazz Film Festival Coming This November
By Carolina Worrell, JazzTimes (October 17, 2016)
