Summer Jazz Film Series

To be presented in conjunction with the WP SUMMER JAZZ ROOM
by

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY’S

SCHOOL OF CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Enjoy classic jazz films, live jazz performances, and academic commentary with like-minded enthusiasts in a very special weeklong series at William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Room. The Summer Jazz Room, now in its 24^th year, adds a lively film series with hosted commentary to the live jazz and Jazz on the Plaza series.

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Individual Films $10 • Five-day Pass $40 Register

Jazz On the Plaza (free) at 6:15 p.m. • WP Summer Jazz Room at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: wpunj.edu/wppresents/jazz)

Monday, July 17, 2017

3:00 p.m. Registration and light refreshments in WP’s Atrium Lobby

3:30 p.m. Welcome and introduction to William Paterson University’s Summer Jazz Room
WP’s Atrium Auditorium “MILES AHEAD” (2015)
Directed by Don Cheadle; Written by Don Cheadle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Ewan McGregor
An exploration of the life and music of Miles Davis (Don Cheadle). In the 1970s, the down-and-out jazz trumpeter tries to recover his new session tape from music producers.

5:15 p.m. Post-film discussion

5:30 p.m. Wrap-up

6:15 p.m. Jazz on the Plaza (Free)

7:30 p.m. WP’s Summer Jazz Room with WP Summer Jazz Workshop Faculty Ensemble for tickets: wppresents.org

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

3:00 p.m. Light refreshments in WP’s Atrium Lobby

3:15 p.m. “STRAIGHT, NO CHASER: THEOLONIUS MONK” (1988)
Directed by Charlotte Zwerin with music composed by Dick Hyman
Along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Thelonious Monk is credited as one of the pioneering musicians of bebop and is the second most recorded jazz composer in the world. Charlotte Zwerin's documentary tries to unravel Monk, who was known for having a thorny personality and an aggressive playing technique to match. Interviews with Monk's son and fellow musicians shed some light, and performance footage from a European tour captures his idiosyncratic style.

5:15 p.m. Post-film discussion

5:30 p.m. Wrap-up

6:15 p.m. Jazz on the Plaza (Free)

7:30 p.m. WP’s Summer Jazz Room with Rossano Sportiello and Harry Allen for tickets: wppresents.org

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

3:00 p.m. Light refreshments in WP’s Atrium Lobby

3:15 p.m.  “THE BENNY GOODMAN STORY” (1956)
Directed by Jean Bach; Written by Jean Bach with Susan Peehl and Matthew Seig
“Benny Goodman Story” is Steve Allen’s take on the big band clarinetist Benny Goodman. The movie features a stellar cast of musicians that includes Kid Ory, Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, Lionel Hampton, Martha Tilton, and George Givot. Fletcher Henderson is portrayed by Sammy Davis, Sr., father of Sammy Davis, Jr.

5:15 p.m. Post-film discussion

5:30 p.m. Wrap-up

6:15 p.m. Jazz on the Plaza (Free)

7:30 p.m. WP’s Summer Jazz Room with Peter Bernstein with Big Beat Big Band for tickets: wppresents.org

Thursday, July 20, 2017

3:00 p.m.  Light refreshments in WP’s Atrium Lobby

3:15 p.m. “BIRD” (1988)
Directed by Clint Eastwood; Written by Joel Oliansky
A heartfelt study of pioneering bop saxophonist Charlie Parker (Forest Whitaker). Moving forward and backward through Parker’s brief life before his death of a heroin overdose at age 34, the film forgrounds the saxophonist’s difficult relationship with his wife, Chan Parker (Diane Venora), but also features lengthy scenes of Parker improvising on stage.

5:45 p.m. Post-film discussion

6:00 p.m. Wrap-up

6:15 p.m. Jazz on the Plaza (Free)

7:30 p.m. WP’s Summer Jazz Room with The Heath Brothers Quartet with Freddie Hendrix for tickets: wppresents.org

Friday, July 21, 2017

3:00 p.m. Light refreshments in WP’s Atrium Lobby

3:15 p.m. “IN GOOD TIME: The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland” (2011)
Directed and written by Huey (James R. Coleman, Jr.)
Documentary videographer James R. Coleman, Jr., aka as just Huey, captured the smile, and the voice we all recognize from Marian McPartland’s weekly National Public Radio program “Piano Jazz,” who opened every program with her improvised version of “Kaleidoscope” since 1979.

5:00 p.m. Post-film discussion

5:30 p.m. Wrap-up

6:15 p.m. Jazz on the Plaza (Free)

7:30 p.m. WP’s Summer Jazz Room with The Bill Charlap Trio for tickets: wppresents.org