A musical documentary with Chan Parker, Bill Miles, Dizzy Gillespie, Walter Bishop Jr, Sheila Jordan, George Wein, Bruce Ricker, Earl Coleman, Doris Parker, Roy Haynes, Tommy Potter, Lester Bowie, Jimmy Slyde, Santi Debriano, Henry Threadfill Sextet, Olu Dara, Charles Austin Trio, Paul McIsaac, Jacqui Casto, Steve Ben, Israel, Leroy Williams, Billie Holiday, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins. Bird Now evokes the jazz music of black America in the 1940s through the figure of Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker, the legendary jazzman, seen against the backdrop of New York City, a mythical place in all its guises, from Harlem to the Bronx, and from the Bowery to Brooklyn.
Beautiful cinematography breathes life into the scenes of New York, the city which is just as much a heroine in this film as is the sound and the art of Charlie Parker. His acquaintances and his intimates talk of him joyously one second, then painfully the next, as if they had finally come to terms with his premature death and are prepared to hold his vigil in a benevolent spirit.
this is incredible. what a great way to find a new film! stunning UI. so bloody simple and elegant.
It’s doubtful that you’ll learn much about Charlie Parker from this poorly made documentary. None of the people interviewed are named. Chan and Doris tell a few stories. Diz relates some memories… read review
wow I was so absolutely entranced that i forgot to think of something to say i was imagining myself right in their and what it would be like to be in that heavan of a moment with the notes just floating… read review
