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Jazz sax pioneer Steve Lacy shares the inspirations and influences that drove him to become one of the greatest soprano saxophonists of all time. Lacy discusses his heroes, including Sidney Bechet, John Coltrane, Cecil Taylor, Gil Evans and Thelonious Monk, and the film features performance footage of all of these sax masters. Onstage, Lacy performs with Irene Aebi, Steve Potts, Bobby Few, Jean-Jacques Avenel and Oliver Johnson.
Status
Released
Original Language
EN

Inside the Blue Note nightclub one night in 1959 Paris, an aged, ailing jazzman coaxes an eloquent wail from his tenor sax. Outside, a young Parisian too broke to buy a glass of wine strains to hear those notes. Soon they will form a friendship that sparks a final burst of genius.

Documentary about jazz great Chet Baker that intercuts footage from the 1950s, when he was part of West Coast Cool, and from his last years. We see the young Baker, he of the beautiful face, in California and in Italy, where he appeared in at least one movie and at least one jail cell (for drug possession). And, we see the aged Baker, detached, indifferent, his face a ruin. Includes interviews with his children and ex-wife, women companions, and musicians.