Chichester Cinema at New Park
'Tis Autumn: The Search for Jackie Paris
CHICHESTER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Stop Press: A special addition to the ‘Jazz in the City’ Festival
With thanks to Verve Pictures for this preview
This documentary comprehensively examines the groundbreaking jazz vocalist Jackie Paris’ life and art – his meteoric rise, enigmatic career, and mysterious life, asking the question: How much do we need to know of an artist’s art to appreciate their art?
Oscar nominated filmmaker Raymond De Felitta conducts on-camera interviews with the late Jackie Paris and many of the musicians, songwriters and personalities who have proudly worked with him over the years, and who knew him best (a who’s who of the Jazz World from Billy Vera to George Wein). Using both new and archival performance footage, still photography and rare unreleased recordings, the film explores the world that Jackie Paris inhabited – the New York of a bygone era that included the legendary 52nd Street club as well as the ‘Café Society’ nightspots.
Uncovering why a great be-bop singer (Charlie Parker, Mingus & Dizzy Gillespie’s singer of choice and ranked by critics to be in the Sinatra & Tony Bennett class) fell into total obscurity is only one of the accomplishments of this magnificent and moving film.
(Tickets £7)
USA · 2007 · Raymond De Felitta · 104min
