Director Jefferson Mello (author of The Ways of Jazz) travels back and forth—through the magic of editing—from Rio de Janeiro to New Orleans in this brass-infused documentary, establishing musical and cultural connections between samba and jazz. As Alcione Nazareth, a 69-year-old samba singer and trumpet player, puts it, "Samba and jazz," which both trace their roots back to Africa, "are brothers." Mello organizes the material by theme while also alternating between vivid color and elegant black-and-white. In one chapter, musicians emphasize the importance of a sharp outfit (as one Brazilian explains, "The samba people were discriminated against, so everybody had to look good."). Mello interviews dozens of musicians, but mostly concentrates on 63-year-old Gregg Stafford, a Louisiana cornet and trumpet player who has been an integral part of the brass band community since his teens, and Pretinho da Serrinha, a 39-year-old Brazilian arranger and composer who has played with every notable artist in his Madureira neighborhood, including singer Seu Jorge, his songwriting partner of 13 years. Samba & Jazz also features three members of the famed Marsalis family: pianist and educator Ellis, and his sons Delfeayo, a trombone player, and Jason, a drummer. Whether in Rio or New Orleans, celebratory parades and elaborate funereal traditions bond the generations. And players also picked up skills, made friends, and found gigs through samba schools in Rio and social clubs in New Orleans. Other topics include improvisation, gentrification, and natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina—which might have devastated New Orleans economically, but didn't break the city's indomitable spirit. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
Samba & Jazz
(2015) 87 min. In Brazilian Portuguese & English w/English subtitles. DVD: $298. Magic Lantern Films. PPR. Volume 32, Issue 6
Samba & Jazz
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