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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
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 may be the most uniquely American of all musical forms, a sound that embraces a variety of creative traditions from around the world to create a new form of expression that's joyous, challenging and powerful. After more than a century, jazz remains a vital art form in which the lessons of great artists of the past are studied by fresh young talents who shape them in innovative directions. Filmmakers Lars Larson, Peter J. Vogt and Michael Rivoira set out to document the present and future of jazz in their documentary Icons Among Us, which was released both as a multi-part television series and as a stand-along feature-length film. In Icons Like Us, the directors introduce viewers to some of the leading lights of contemporary jazz -- veteran musicians such as Herbie Hancock, modern day masters including Terrence Blanchard, young ensembles who interpolate alternative rock sounds into jazz like the Bad Plus and Medeski Martin & Wood, and rising stars such as Ravi Coltrane. In Icons Among Us, these performers share their music but also their thoughts as they discuss what jazz means to them, and how their ideas are reflected in their own work.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
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."
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A provocative glimpse of the present state of the art (useful as a...
I nearly turned off this video after 5 minutes, which would have been a mistake. At first there appeared to be more interviews than music, and no small number of (comparatively)... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Samuel Chell
An exploration into the history & creativity behind Jazz
Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense
1 Disc Widescreen Edition releasing on May 11, 2010
"Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense" is a feature-length... Read more
1 Disc Widescreen Edition releasing on May 11, 2010
"Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense" is a feature-length... Read more
Published on May 8, 2010 by Haunted Flower
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