[Dixielandjazz] Clint Eastwood and Jazz

[Marek Boym]

I have seen - and liked - "Bird," at a small Tel-Aviv cinema which
specialized in "art" films, now long defunct.
Still, both films mentioned are hardly OKOM; moreover, Parker said
that "bebop was no love child of jazz."
Cheers

On 18/08/2008, Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Dirty Harry Make's His Day Keeping Jazz Alive!
> by Rick Gee The Weekly Challenger Originally posted 8/17/2008
>
> Last week, I happened to view for the 20th time the film "Bird." In case you
> have yet to see this film, it is a brief biography about one of the most
> prolific jazz musicians in history, Charles "Yardbird" Parker, aka "Bird."
> Parker's life was one of ups and downs, so I imagine it was difficult to
> capture it all on film. However, credit should be given to the one and only
> "Dirty Harry" or as he's sometimes known as Clint Eastwood, movie star, film
> producer, film director, and sometimes jazz musician.
> This column will focus on Eastwood's contribution to the survival of jazz
> music. If we, who are involved with jazz had more enthusiasts like Eastwood,
> jazz music would most likely be either ahead of or running neck and neck
> with that of other music; i.e. smooth jazz and hip hop. Unfortunately, jazz
> is running a close third place behind those two other genres of music.
> Fortunately, Eastwood's reputation as an actor and Oscar-winning director
> and producer has allowed him to demonstrate his commitment to the music by
> using the many various resources at his disposal.
>
> Eastwood produced and directed the film biography of alto saxophonist
> Charlie Parker in the movie "Bird." However, when production of another jazz
> film was halted because of a lack of funding, little is known about Eastwood
> coming to the financial aid of the film "Straight No Chaser," a documentary
> about jazz icon pianist Thelonious Monk. Eastwood was instrumental in
> obtaining an investor who stepped in with funds to finish the project. There
> have been other works featuring jazz in films that have been saved by
> Eastwood, including "Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends."
>
> You can't help but wonder how someone with Eastwood's movie, directing and
> producing talents became involved with jazz. Having been raised in Oakland,
> Calif., Eastwood was introduced to the music scene early in life. As a
> youngster, he was exposed to Dixieland jazz and traditional jazz. When
> "Bebop" first began to come into the light, Eastwood had the opportunity to
> see jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie with a big band in San Francisco. He says
> that this was when he was drawn into the whole improvisational element.
> Eastwood's musical education continued with his interest in the "Blues." At
> the time, there was a lot of blues being played around Oakland, and Eastwood
> listened to his fair share. There were blues musicians like Ivory Joe
> Hunter, Joe Houston, Wynonie Harris, and Louis Jordan.
>
> Sometime, in 1946, Eastwood attended one of the Jazz at the Philharmonic
> concerts to listen to tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins and Flip Phillips.
> To his pleasant surprise Charlie Parker was also on the bill and played as
> only he could play. Eastwood says that at the time he did not understand
> what Parker was playing but became interested in finding out.
>
> As Eastwood musically matured, he began to delve deeper and deeper into the
> sound world of jazz and became a regular at the popular San Francisco jazz
> club the Blackhawk. It was there that he started listening to baritone
> saxophone player Gerry Mulligan and jazz trumpeter Chet Baker, pianist Dave
> Brubeck and alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Then, in the early 1950s while in
> the military service and stationed at Fort Ord, Calif., Eastwood got to meet
> jazz musicians who were also stationed there, such as pianist Andre Previn
> and alto saxophone player Lennie Niehaus. In 1958, Eastwood was able to
> attend his first Monterey Jazz Festival.
>
> Eastwood's background in jazz is much more extensive than space allows and
> it all lent well to his film work directing and producing motion pictures.
> He admits to his love of all kinds of music … jazz, classical, country, and
> the blues. His musical interests has been partnered with his movie talents,
> and the next opportunity that you have to view one of Eastwood's movies, pay
> close attention to the type of music background he's included. You can be
> sure, you'll be listening to great music … be it jazz, classical, country or
> the blues. As a staunch fan of jazz music, I'm more than pleased to know
> that there are those people who are dedicated to preserving this wonderful
> and exciting music called "Jazz." By the way, before you ask … Eastwood is a
> pretty good jazz piano player!
>
> Remember to "Keep Jazz Alive" by "Supporting Live Jazz!"
> Jazz fans – do you have any feedback? I would like to hear from YOU! You may
> visit my Web site at: rickgeesjazzjamm.com or email me at JazzJamm at aol.com.
> You may also mail your letters to Rick Gee's Jazz Jamm, c/o The Weekly
> Challenger, 2500 ML King St., S., St. Petersburg, FL 33705.
>
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