Cuba: Island of Music MVD Entertainment Release date 7/26/11 Description: The film is a behind-the-scenes look at Afro-Cuban music’s role in the daily life of Cubans. Filmmaker Gary Keys (Memories of Duke and Dizzy’s Dream Band) brings the audience into the heart and soul of Havana, through a vibrant mosaic of street musicians, big bands, […]
Entertainment
Dizzy Gillespie DVD
Dizzy Gillespie in Redondo A Film by Gary Keys DVD Release date 6/21/11 Description: Gary Keys’ 1986 film capturing Dizzy Gillespie and band live in Redondo Beach, CA. The trumpeter/bandleader is in great form, leading his crack band through classics from various parts of his career. Filmed in Gary Keys signature style, with lots of […]
Count Basie DVD
Count Basie Then as Now, Counts the King DVD Release Date 3/22/11 Description: Jazz great William “Count” Basie comes back to life in this rich documentary, which traces the history of the pianist, composer, and bandleader over several decades. Filmmaker Gary Keys juxtaposes a roundtable discussion among old cats from the Count Basie Orchestra with […]
The Secret History of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The Secret History of Rock ‘n Roll The Mysterious Roots of Modern Music by Christopher Knowles isbn 978-1-57344-405-7 Pub. date 10/5/10 Description: Sex. Drugs. Loud music. Wild costumes. Dazzling light shows. These sights and sounds all describe a great rock concert or a hot dance club; but they were also part and parcel of the […]
Yanni Concert at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Yanni I’ve been enjoying listening to Yanni’s newest cd, Truth of Touch. The music is absolutely beautiful. When I had the opportunity to see him on stage with his orchestra I jumped at the chance. The cd is great, but nothing really compares to a live performance. Yanni is from Greece and has a large […]
Duke Ellington DVD
Duke Ellington Reminiscing in Tempo DVD Release date 3/22/11 Description: Filmmaker Gary Keys crafts a compelling tribute to late jazz icon Duke Ellington in this companion piece to Keys’ 1980 documentary Memories of Duke, which combines unseen clips captured during the famed pianist and bandleader’s 1968 Mexican tour with footage and interviews shot at sister […]