Available digitally, these two documentaries are absolutely essential bundles of insight, joy and history, with a fresh reminder of why jazz is still one of America’s greatest contributions to civilization.
The 90 minute Just One Of Those Things takes you on a tour of Ella Fitzgerald’s life, with insightful interviews with 100 year old dancer Naomi Miller, who saw Fitzgerald’s debut at the Apollo, Ella’s step-son Ray Brown Jr., drummer Gregg Fields as well as jazz journalist Will Friedland and a ton of guest ranging from Izthak Perlman to Tony Bennett. As Miler comments, “Ella was all about moving on”, and she moves from living on the street to being a pop idol, leading her own band and then becoming the “Lady Of Song” with testimonials by Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Patti Austin and Cleo Laine added for support. The story of Marilyn Monroe helping Ella break into the “white” clubs is a treasure, as is Friedland’s analysis of Fitzgerald’s “How High The Moon” as his lists every song that she scats during her solo. As is summarized at the end, “You can’t teach magic”. This one’s a joy, even through her heart breaking personal life.
The just over 70 minute film of Count Basie takes you through his career as well, but it offers the bonus of giving you a glimpse into his highly protected private life, including letters to his wife “Katy” and films of his daughter Diane (who was born with Cerebral Palsy) observations by relatives and neighbors as well as highly guarded home movies.
The stories of racism experienced by a black band touring the south, adapting to middle class values, being involved with the civil rights marches of the 50s and then dealing with the militant black movement of the 1960s is a fascinating insight into Basie’s family and values. There is a home film of MLK’s 1963 March on Washington that is revelatory, as are the cozy home movies of the family in their home swimming pool with friends, at birthday parties, and finally settling in at their last place in the Bahamas. Comments by the likes of Quincy Jones, Garry Giddins, Carmen Bradford and Scotty Barnhardt give extra color and perspective to the many that most of us only knew as the swinging-est piano player around. As is said in the movie, “If this don’t move you, you’re dead!”