London Jazz Festival: Symphonies in Black – Duke Ellington Shorts

Jazz on Screen: Symphonies in Black: Duke Ellington Shorts

Tue 19 Nov 2024, 18:30, Location: Barbican Cinema 3

Introduction to the screening by Ehsan Khoshbakht

Join us at the Barbican for a special screening event featuring 16 captivating short films that highlight the extraordinary musical legacy of Duke Ellington and his Orchestra. Spanning nearly a quarter of a century (1929-1953), these films showcase Ellington’s performances in a variety of settings, often accompanied by dancers and singers, including the legendary Billie Holiday in Symphony in Black: A Rhapsody of Negro Life. This particular film fluidly transitions between Ellington composing in solitude, leading his band in a tuxedo at a concert, and artistic depictions of African American life, including a moving sequence with Billie Holiday portraying heartbreak similar to Bessie Smith's iconic film appearance six years prior.

While the primary allure of these shorts is undoubtedly musical, the narratives provide a fascinating glimpse into the perceptions and expectations of jazz and Black musicians during the early era of sound films. Many of the films are Soundies from the 1940s, created for sound-and-image jukeboxes, such as Jam Session (1942), where Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, and others captivate an audience at an after-hours eatery, and Hot Chocolate (Cottontail), featuring dazzling jitterbugging dancers.

The programme opens and closes with innovative cinematic techniques. Black and Tan, directed by Dudley Murphy, draws inspiration from his collaboration with Fernand Léger on Ballet mécanique (1924), adapting its imagery to portray a dancer’s (Fredi Washington) hallucinations and critiques of racial exploitation amidst its comedic elements. The inventive wipes in A Bundle of Blues (1933) and the rhythmic edits of Daybreak Express (1953) by D.A. Pennebaker, capture the vibrant energy of Manhattan's vanished Third Avenue El, set to an exhilarating Ellington tune, further demonstrate the artistic ingenuity on display.

This screening barely scratches the surface of the diversity presented, which includes a delightful George Pal Puppetoon (Date with Duke), the Delta Rhythm Boys’ performance in Symphony in Swing, and a visually exclusive homage to Louis Armstrong with a three-minute “History of Jazz” in Salute to Duke Ellington. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the music and legacy of one of jazz's most influential figures.