Log in
Dizzy Gillespie

Dizzy Gillespie

NR 1964 · 22 min · ★ 7.0

This is Les Blank’s earliest music film, focusing on the renown trumpet player, Dizzy Gillespie, who along with Charlie Parker, Thelonius Monk, Sonny Rollins and others sparked the change from traditional Jazz to “Bebop” in mid-1940s America. The film includes rare images of Gillespie playing on his famous bent horn and talking about his beginnings, as well as his theories about music.

Directed by Les Blank

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion ChannelStingray Djazz Amazon ChannelQello Concerts by Stingray Amazon Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 5m together

Dizzy Gillespie

The Arch

Both from Les Blank.

More from Les BlankSee all →

Tattoo UprisingTattoo Uprising · 2019
Tattoo Uprising
★ 10.02019
MovieDocumentary
An examination of the artistic and historical roots of today's tattoo explosion.
In the Land of the Owl TurdsIn the Land of the Owl Turds · 1987
In the Land of the Owl Turds
★ 9.01987
MovieComedy
Roland drives a dada art gallery on wheels and attracts more girls than he knows what to do with. Unfortunately, they rarely stick around. Can it be his chicken imitations? His dead animal skulls? His green body make-up? Can a handsome boy who feels like a Martian find happiness with earth girls? And if not, then with who? Or what?
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's ApocalypseHearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse · 1991
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
★ 7.91991
MovieDocumentary
A chronicle of the production problems — including bad weather, actors' health, war near the filming locations, and more — which plagued the filming of Apocalypse Now, increasing costs and nearly destroying the life and career of Francis Ford Coppola.
The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' HopkinsThe Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins · 1968
The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins
★ 7.91968
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A musical portrait of Texas bluesman 'Lightnin' Hopkins. The film includes interviews and a performance by Hopkins. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2002.
A Poem Is a Naked PersonA Poem Is a Naked Person · 1974
A Poem Is a Naked Person
★ 7.81974
MovieDocumentaryMusic
Les Blank's first feature-length documentary captures music and other events at Leon Russell's Oklahoma recording studio during a three-year period (1972-1974).
FitzcarraldoFitzcarraldo · 1982
Fitzcarraldo
★ 7.61982
MovieDramaAdventure
Fitzcarraldo is a dreamer who plans to build an opera house in Iquitos, in the Peruvian Amazon, so, in order to finance his project, he embarks on an epic adventure to collect rubber, a very profitable product, in a remote and unexplored region of the rainforest.
Burden of DreamsBurden of Dreams · 1982
Burden of Dreams
★ 7.61982
MovieDocumentary
The Amazon rain forest, 1979. The crew of Fitzcarraldo (1982), a film directed by German director Werner Herzog, soon finds itself with problems related to casting, tribal struggles and accidents, among many other setbacks; but nothing compared to dragging a huge steamboat up a mountain, while Herzog embraces the path of a certain madness to make his vision come true.
The ArchThe Arch · 1969
The Arch
★ 7.51969
MovieDrama
A widow upholds feudal virtue by suppressing her love for a cavalry captain in favor of her daughter.
Garlic Is as Good as Ten MothersGarlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers · 1980
Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers
★ 7.51980
MovieDocumentary
A zesty paean of praise to the greater glories of garlic. This lip-smacking foray into the history, consumption, cultivation and culinary/curative powers of the stinking rose features chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse, and a flavorful musical soundtrack. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999.
All In This TeaAll In This Tea · 2007
All In This Tea
★ 7.42007
MovieDocumentary
World-renowned tea expert David Lee Hoffman explores remote regions of China in search of the best handmade teas in existence.
Always for PleasureAlways for Pleasure · 1978
Always for Pleasure
★ 7.41978
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A musical portrait of New Orleans' street celebrations and unique cultural gumbo in 1977: second-line parades, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest. Features live music from Professor Longhair, the Wild Tchoupitoulas, the Neville Brothers and more. This glorious, soul-satisfying film is among Blank's special masterworks. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999.
Werner Herzog Eats His ShoeWerner Herzog Eats His Shoe · 1980
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe
★ 7.01980
MovieDocumentaryComedy
Werner Herzog fulfills a bet he made with his assistant Errol Morris to inspire him to complete his first feature film, "Gates of Heaven".
POVPOV · 1988
POV
★ 6.91988
SeriesDocumentary
The home for the world's boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intriguing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action.
Chulas FronterasChulas Fronteras · 1976
Chulas Fronteras
★ 6.81976
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A complex, insightful look at the Chicano experience as mirrored in the lives and music of the most acclaimed Norteño musicians of the Texas-Mexican border, including Flaco Jimenez and Lydia Mendoza. Video includes bonus feature, Del Mero Corazon.
A Well Spent LifeA Well Spent Life · 1971
A Well Spent Life
★ 6.71971
MovieDocumentaryMusic
A musical portrait of Texas blues songster Mance Lipscomb.
Dry WoodDry Wood · 1973
Dry Wood
★ 6.51973
MovieDocumentary
Featuring the stories and music of seminal Cajun musicians "Bois Sec" Ardoin and Canray Fontenot, Dry Wood is a short, vibrant documentary portrait of life, food, music and festivity in the Louisiana Delta from the singular Les Blank. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 1999.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter