Friday, December 18, 2009

Documentary Preview

This is a preview, made by Seattle Art Institute student Brandon Fritts, of my documentary project, "In Between the Raindrops."

Seattle Jazz Legends in Concert

Here is some information about the concert I'm planning in coordination with my documentary:

"Seattle Jazz Legends in Concert," a special one-night-only event starting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31, presented by Lynx Records, will feature special guest artists including bassist Buddy Catlett (who toured with Quincy Jones, in addition to playing on Louis Armstrong's band for almost a decade and recording with Frank Sinatra on "Fly Me to the Moon"), Grammy Award-nominated vocalist Ernestine Anderson, Ronnie Pierce (who has been performing in Seattle for over 60 years and who has performed with everyone from the Mills Brothers to Ray Charles), drummer George Griffin (who performed with Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, and Lionel Hampton) and keyboardist/vocalist Dave Holden (son of local jazz legend Oscar Holden). The concert will also feature Bill Anschell, Clarence Acox, Brian Nova, and Doug Miller.

The concert is being filmed as part of the feature-length documentary project, "In Between the Raindrops," which will showcase the above artists' performances and interviews, in addition to interviews with such greats as musical impresario Quincy Jones and notable trumpeter/flugelhorn player Clark Terry, a mentor to jazz great Miles Davis. The film, co-produced by Jessica Davis and Joe Andolina, pays tribute to these historical jazz figures and highlights Seattle's rich jazz history.

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The concert will take place on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. at the Historic University Theater, at 5510 University Way N.E. in Seattle's University District. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be open to the public, with a general admission price of $20, and $10 for youths (up to age 18) and seniors (ages 65 and older). Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93167 and at the door on the day of the show.

Following the concert, there will be an after-party at Lucid, located at 5241 University Way N.E. in Seattle. The party will include an open jazz jam, as well as an opportunity to meet a number of the artists featured in the concert and documentary.

Support for "In Between the Raindrops" comes from the Allied Arts Foundation; the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Lucid Jazz Lounge, Suess Chocolates and Wing-It Productions.

For more information, contact Jessica Davis at 206-420-8091 or seattlejazzlegends@gmail.com.

*This is an all-ages event.

Introduction

Welcome to my blog! My name is Jessica Davis and I am a documentary filmmaker.

I have been making a feature-length documentary project entitled, “In Between the Raindrops,” that pays tribute to a number of historical jazz figures who got their start in Seattle. In the interviews, the artists discuss such topics as their love for the craft, the early years of Quincy Jones as a composer, the experience of performing in Seattle during a raid, and the racial divide between the musicians’ unions during that time (two unions – one white & one non-white). The documentary is expected to be complete by the end of 2010. To view clips of some of the interviews, visit www.vimeo.com/jessicadavis. As part of the documentary, I have been planning a concert that will feature a number of the artists featured in the film - the concert takes place on Jan. 31 in Seattle's University District.