Quarter-Circle 7

These are 2 scenes from the 1960 documentary film JAZZ ON A SUMMERS DAY, filmed in at the Newport, Rhode Island Annual Jazz Fest.  There are lots of greats in this movie that were nice to see perform, particularly Big Maybelle, but I  was most excited to learn about the Chico Hamilton Quintet by this one scene below.  Chico is the drummer & that's Eric Dolphy on the flute.  At the 2:00 minute mark the guitar section makes this some really interesting jazz, especially in 1960.  The precision and delicacy all the musicians create envoke a quiet power that builds and builds on the circular and constant rhythm section.  I was completely moved & my cats were licking each other.  It's also humorous that this scene is right after a pretty rockin' and off-key Chuck Berry tune.  This movie is so relaxing. I've been watching it over the course of weeks now, bit by bit.



I was surprised to find that someone had uploaded this Nathan Gershman clip from the film as well, a really nice interlude in the movie that is away from the bop & rag jazz, in the neighborhoods of Newport, & just really beautiful at the end.  This style of film-making must have really inspired people like Les Blank & D. A. Pennebaker.