Product Details

• Actors: Ravi Coltrane, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, Esperanza Spalding, Skerik
• Directors: Lars Larson, Michael Rivoira, Peter J. Vogt
• Format: Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: IndiePix Films
• DVD Release Date: May 4, 2010
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002RNO1BW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,662 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The movie (Icons Among Us) has been hailed as the most significant jazz documentary in recent decades for the very reason that, rather than focusing on the music s storied past (in the spirit of Ken Burns), it takes an at-times contentious look at jazz today and ponders its future. --Brian McCoy, Oakland Examiner

Icons includes much well-filmed footage of musicians performing and rehearsing in clubs and studios.These purely musical sequences are the major attraction of the program: they indicate what current jazz musicians are actually up to. --Ben Ratliff, The New York Times

The radical contribution of Icons Among Us is that it declares jazz to be not only a vital music, but also a cutting edge way of thinking. --Eric Benson, All About Jazz

Product Description

Jazz is undergoing changes of monumental magnitude and importance. Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense is a documentary film that captures the metamorphosis of jazz by showcasing the words, music, and spirit of the artists that are paving the way for an unprecedented musical revolution. Through interviews and live performance footage, we explore the thoughts and lives of the musicians spearheading today s jazz front lines. Directed by Michael Rivoira, Lars Larson and Peter J. Vogt, Icons Among Us examines the jazz music scene today by focusing the spotlight on many current jazz icons including Terence Blanchard, Ravi Coltrane, Robert Glasper, Nicholas Payton, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Donald Harrison Jr., Anat Cohen, Esperanza Spalding, and Medeski Martin and Wood. The film also features the legendary predecessors and influences of today s contemporary jazz stars, including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Wynton Marsalis.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Where have all the Ellingtons, Parkers and Coltranes gone? June 12, 2010

By The Delite Rancher VINE™ VOICE

Did the greats take Jazz with them when they passed on? Chances are that if you're reading a review for a film like "Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense," you probably already know the answer to this question. While Jazz is far from popular these days, it is quietly flourishing. The torch blazes brightly thanks to musicians that pay homage to the music's roots, yet interpret the genre to fit the current zeitgeist. As would be expected, the film introduces the debate over what's Jazz and what's not. In contrast to the conservative depiction Ken Burns offers in "Jazz," this team of directors offer a broader vision of the music. Perhaps most notably, the Jambands get their day. A thriving sub-genre of Psychedelic Rock infused Jazz has been brewing in this country for at least a decade. Of this movement, interviews are given to Marco Benevento, John Medeski and Skerik. In addition to a stirring Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood performance, the Benevento/Russo Duo is seen at the High Sierra Music Festival. "Icons Among Us" covers additional musicians that combine Rock with Jazz. Bill Frisell and Will Bernard are both interviewed and shown performing. Including musicians like Roy Hargrove, Brian Blade and Matthew Shipp, much of the film focuses on what most listeners would consider contemporary Jazz. Beyond this, a large segment is given to the ultimate resurrection of the old guard, Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center. With daKAH, time is even given to the Hip-Hop fusion. The European scene is also given a thoughtful look. Did you ever wonder what the whole ECM thing evolved into? Tineke Postma and Bugge Wesseltoft are keeping the genre alive and well on the other side of the Atlantic. Bringing things full circle, the film finishes in post-Katrina New Orleans. "Icons Among Us" is jam-packed with interviews and performances by just about everybody who belongs in a film about Jazz in 2010. Despite the large scope, no coverage is given to Latin, Avant-garde, Brazilian, Free or Jewish Jazz. Focusing on 'real' Jazz, Smooth Jazz isn't dignified with so much as a mention. While the film may preach to the choir, any Jazz listener is bound to walk away with new found knowledge. The production is excellent. The sound quality is fantastic for the live performances and the video editing is deliciously stylish. While this is a great piece of film, the committed will want to go all the way and get the full four disc version. If you believe that Ken Burns stopped short, this long overdue film will bring you up-to-date. So where have all the Ellingtons, Parkers and Coltranes gone? They're here and you'll know who they are after watching "Icons Among Us."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars visually stunning jazz documentary May 28, 2010

By El Sutro

This is a beautifully filmed documentary that captures the energy, improvisational spirit, and daring attitude of today's jazz musicians. The film shows live jazz being made in a variety of venues and reveals the breadth of the art form - from small "serious" jazz clubs to massive festivals to concert halls to basements, recording studios, front porches, computer labs, etc. You gotta respect the filmmakers for being able to shoot equally beautifully in all of these environments. Jazz is everywhere and ever-changing. We need more documentaries like this in other fields (i.e. architecture, painting, journalism) to show the intense creativity of this day and age.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jazz documentary for the now October 25, 2010

By Tiffany Waddell

This takes off where Ken Burns left off, which left you thinking that jazz just died after Miles went electric and Coltrane died. But this amazing documentary is here to show us that jazz is still alive. Love the interviews of all the different artists out there, and it turned me on to so many i haven't heard of. Kept me watching the whole time! A must see for everyone!