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About JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY

 

Synopsis

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Jazz and the men and women who make it have often found themselves on the forefront of cultural turbulence and change. One could say it is part of the very DNA of jazz. That transformative intersection of music and society is intimately uncovered in the award-winning documentary JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY. JAZZ NIGHTS chronicles a group of L.A.’s top jazz musicians who, from 2011-2013, congregated in alternating configurations every Sunday night at an illegal, members-only, back-room hash bar hidden in the heart of Hollywood.

Once a week, these expert musicians formed a circle, a coterie of non-verbal, intuitive communication. There were no pre-determined set lists, no rehearsals. Attendance was through word-of-mouth only. No advertising. The result was an all-out exploration – both personal and communal – of what it means to be an artist, to take risks, to embrace change, and to passionately follow one’s heart. The live music captured in JAZZ NIGHTS is at once emotionally exhilarating, meditative, sensual and hypnotic.

These nights at L.A. Confidential in Los Angeles poignantly echoed the Prohibition Era speakeasies of the 1920s as well as the ’50s underground jazz clubs of Harlem, Greenwich Village and L.A.’s own Leimert Park. All reflect a society caught in a quagmire of differing opinions and laws. In the case of JAZZ NIGHTS, one such crossroads was the legalization of marijuana. Only medically legal in the state of California at the time of filming, cannabis was and remains illegal under federal law, meaning that LACon continually operated under the risk of a federal raid.

Via in-depth interviews, these cutting-edge musicians explore their lives, influences, backstories, upbringings, inspirations, and cultural affiliations. The result is an evocative tapestry of live music, thoughts and memories, and a snapshot of a moment in time amidst an ever-evolving American landscape.

 

From Audio Recordings To Film

Hal

Producer/Director Hal Masonberg

“As a regular audience member, I began audio recording these live gigs for the musicians themselves to reflect on, for me to relive, and for history to remember. As a filmmaker of over 20 years and a die-hard music fan, it became abundantly clear to me that this was not only the perfect subject matter for a truly great film, but that it would also serve as a rare opportunity for others to share in this consummate experience that was, until now, only known and available to a very select few willing to attend despite the risk of a Federal raid.

“The caliber of musicianship, the setting, and the fortuity to capture this snapshot in time, spoke to my passions. I wanted to capture the vitality and fearlessness of these supremely intuitive musicians in the midst of such significant and historic cultural change. I also wanted to share the music itself, this supreme and powerful force that has come to embody not just the different traits and sensibilities of America –jazz’s country of origin– but the innumerable global influences that have worked their way into and enhanced this deeply vibrant and exploratory music.

“This feels increasingly important to me as many music-lovers and musicians alike have voiced concern that jazz itself is struggling for attention and relevance in today’s modern world. As a result, I knew these L.A. Confidential gigs were potentially a fleeting moment in time and could disappear without warning. Good thing I chose to film when I did as JAZZ NIGHTS ended up documenting what turned out to be the FINAL GIGS played by these musicians at LACon. The hash bar has since been dismantled, leaving absolutely no trace of its existence.

“Except for our film. –Producer/Director Hal Masonberg

 

Narrative Trajectory

Screen Shot 2015-10-19 at 6.08.21 PMIntimate observations and quotes by famous artists and musicians are used to usher in each new chapter of our story, beginning with the youthful introductions of each musician. We explore those pivotal moments when each of their lives turned direction down a unique and divergent path, to discover and nurture a talent, a desire, a mission.

JAZZ NIGHTS holds a magnifying glass up to the life and struggles of these jazz musicians in a city no longer considered a “jazz town,” why they remain here, what the city means to them and why performing here and building a daring musical community feels so very critical to their existence, their very identities.

Via these conversations, the audience will be taken on a journey of their own, one that begs us to explore this human need to be understood, to voice our feelings, to share our vulnerabilities and strengths through artistic means. These events, these gatherings, happen daily in the warm glow of small backrooms across the globe, unobserved by the casual passerby and most certainly out of the purview of the machines of industry.

In the case of JAZZ NIGHTS, we pull the curtain back to take a look at how this manifests on both an individual level as well as the group level; how all the separate pieces come together to create something whole and unique. After spending time with each musician, learning who they are, how they think, how they feel, we leave with a vast understanding of the music they make and how it is an expressive and vulnerable culmination of uniquely human voices.

By time the final note is played, JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY reveals itself to be far more than a document of musicians or a single event in time; it is a microcosm of the creative and intuitive human experience that has been with us since the dawn of mankind and continues to be a necessary pilgrimage, both personal and cultural, for so many the world over.

 

Artistic Approach

“My desire from the outset was to make a film that moved like jazz music itself. The themes would be laid out like individual songs in a setlist. Each song, each chapter, would have its own mood, its own energy and, as the artist driving the story forward, I would allow all the different pieces to come together both as individual pieces and as a whole. These pieces would ebb and flow and interact with one another, support one another as the film itself set out on an expedition to the outer edges of those themes and then, like jazz music itself, work its way back.

”In order to create this, I chose to be extremely intimate with the shots and compositions of the musicians while performing. We even altered the lighting on a nightly basis to highlight different visceral elements and in order to impact both the musicians and music, as well as the audience, in subtle ways. Each night of the residency had its own feel, its own mood depending on the audience, the day, the weather outside, the events of the week that preceded it, the different combinations of musicians on a given night.

“Once the images and music were captured (with 5 cameras over 4 nights), it was then my job to cut them together with a visual style that mirrored both the flavor of the music along with the intricacies of what each musician was doing, whether soloing or backing another soloist. I chose to create and recreate these moments by layering images through a series of long dissolves or in delicately overlapping images so that what the audience sees would not only match what they were hearing, but guide them to potentially hear it differently. Split screen was also used throughout the film to combine much of the interview footage with the live music footage. Each song, as each theme, has its own stylistic mark, its own rhythm inherent in the cutting and combining of images.

”For the interview segments of the film, I chose to have the musicians speak directly into camera and to keep my voice as the interviewer out of the film. There is no narration. It is the musicians’ words that tell their own stories. Each musician was allowed to choose the setting they wanted to be filmed in, a space that represented something about them and meant something to them. Using the 1.78:1 frame, I positioned the musicians either to the right or left of the frame to not only share the space they were in visually, but also to allow overlays of other images to interact with them. Photographs and video footage drift in and out, almost dreamlike or as if the very thoughts of the artists were manifesting themselves in the visual realm like gentle whispers.

“The musical passages of the film were essential and I always knew that, in many ways, they would be the backbone of our story. But at the same time, I didn’t want to make a concert film. I wanted the audience to WANT to come back to the music throughout, to make new discoveries with each musical passage. At the same time, I was intent on not shying away from the music to appease potential audience members who might not have the patience to invest in the listening to and watching of music and music-making.

“In an age when popular music seems less demanding, when audiences are more prone to listen to a single song rather than an album, or to make their music-listening part of a multitasking event as opposed to a concentrated or focused endeavor, it was important to me to create an experience that embraced the intricate spaces the musicians created, the world in which they themselves inhabit.

”It was my desire to do all of this while maintaining a driving force, a sense that we are working our way toward something, even if that something — like the music to the musicians themselves — might seem amorphous during the experience, but would reveal its true impact in the moments immediately following.” -Producer/Director Hal Masonberg

 

 

 

 

THE SETTING

  • “Jazz is the big brother of revolution. Revolution follows it around.”

    Miles Davis
  • This is so nice, it must be illegal.”

    Fats Waller

hash barThe fortuitous setting for this exclusive musical residency was a legally-ambiguous hash-bar tucked away in the back room of a medical marijuana dispensary known as L.A. Confidential.

As mentioned above, in both appearance and spirit, these musical nights at L.A. Confidential poignantly echoed the Prohibition Era speakeasies of the 1920s & 30’s — where jazz blossomed in its infancy — as well as the 1950s underground jazz clubs of Harlem, Greenwich Village & Leimert Park.

As in those days, The “LACon” experiment reflects a society once again caught in a quagmire of differing opinions and laws, this time surrounding the legalization of marijuana, which is currently considered medically legal in the state of California, while simultaneously remaining illegal under federal law.

The coming together of these contemporary and historic upheavals alongside such distinct musical voices, provided an unexpected opportunity for these musicians to tap into the vast background that had brought them together in this place, and to explore the many life-lessons hidden within that experience.

JAZZ NIGHTS’ cast simultaneously ride the coattails of the past while paving new inroads for the future.

 

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Cultural Relevance

smilingband1In a time when the music industry and how music is delivered and consumed by audiences is changing rapidly, with music programs being eliminated from the curriculum at schools across the country, with age-old state and federal laws changing and being discussed in myriad ways barely imagined before, and as the civil rights struggles in our country continue to take center stage, JAZZ NIGHTS shines a light on an ethnically diverse group of individuals who have come together to discover both themselves and one another, their similarities and differences and how to use those to create something immensely human and life-affirming.

Jazz is currently the single least popular musical genre in the U.S. — the very birthplace of jazz. It is our hope and desire that JAZZ NIGHTS will give new voice to this deeply expressive music. We also believe our film can have social impact by creatively influencing future generations of artists and offer an alternative to the heavily-produced, more high-profile forms of music and art that inhabit the mainstream. We are also looking forward to shining a light on the cultural and ethnic backstories that are so closely tied to jazz’s diverse history.

In addition to this, JAZZ NIGHTS goes in-depth in discussing and uncovering how art and social change are oftentimes tightly connected. It is most certainly part of the current ongoing conversation about the legalization of marijuana and the changing mores, values and attitudes in our country, as it once was during the Prohibition-Era of the early 20th century, and again during the tumultous Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s.

JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY is a pointed snapshot of a moment in time, a time of significant social change in a country that is struggling once again with greatly divided needs and points of view.

 

Shauntefeels

 

THE MUSICIANS

The musicians appearing in JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY are all prominent and admired members of the L.A. music scene and beyond.

 

“It’s the group sound that’s important, even when you’re playing a solo.” 

OSCAR PETERSON

SPONSORS & CONTRIBUTORS

Sponsors

Please check back often as we’ll be adding more!

Indiegogo Contributors

Thank you SO much to our Indiegogo contributors! Together we raised $26,185!

 

JAZZ NIGHTS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & SOUND MIX PATRON

Kath Creel

JAZZ NIGHTS EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Kath Creel
Carlos Cuscó
Eric & Christine Kovac
Emerson Machtus
Kathryn Mayer
Jonathan Wish

JAZZ NIGHTS COLOR-TIMING PATRONS

Andre & Maria Jacquemetton

JAZZ NIGHTS CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Jason Fine
Ash Sarohia
Luciano Silvestrini

JAZZ NIGHTS PRODUCER

Pete Pietrangeli

JAZZ NIGHT ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Ebony Ann Blaze
Randell J. Kennedy
Andrew Litton
David Schniepp

JAZZ NIGHT MONARCH

Kathryn Mayer

JAZZ NIGHT CONSTITUENTS

Cynthia Weiner
Gary Weinstein

JAZZ NIGHT AFICIONADOS

Carl & Janet Masonberg

WARM GHOST

Todd Sharp

BUT BEAUTIFUL 

Annie Fitzgerald

JAZZ NIGHT MELODIC LISTENERS

Thomas Babayan
Nancy Feinstein
Sarah MacMillin
Joe Tomaszewski

PERKLESS DONATIONS

Aimee Bender
Julie Bowen
Adam Colas
Emily Colas
LeRoy Downs
Vicki Goggin
Claire Gordon-Harper
Darren Hayes
Allison Iris
Tommy Kay
Gabe & Christina Klueh
Jessie Langford
Christine Lee
Steve MacMillin
Sean Morey
Andy Norman
Maria O’Driscoll
Art Parga
Levon Parian
Chris Peterson
Mia Taylor
Noah Weisberg

COLOR MASTER

Dee Wallace

JAZZ NIGHT ILLICIT MEMBERS

Pamela Brissette
Cathi Carlton
Monique Edwards
Melissa Greenspan
Shawn Holden
Melissa James
Daniel Kaufman
Patrick Kirst
Michael Krutolow
Cynthia Paxton
Danny Regan
Paul Rozenfeld

JAZZ NIGHT CONFIDANTS

Lori Alan
Trevor Allen
Ninon Aprea
C. Bone
Desiree Cardona
Gavin Carlton
Gillian Efros
Caley O’Dwyer Feagin
Janice Findley
Claudia Francis
Malia Gallegos
Karl Holzheimer
Allison Iris
Helaine Iris
Kristen Lee Kelly
Anna Khaja
Alicia Koch
Renee Landau
Gerald Lewis
Yesenia Luna
Mara Luthane
Mark Maloof
Margie and Stan Masonberg
Erin Maxick
Caren McCaleb
Erica McNeill
Gail Miller
Cerris Morgan-Moyer
Kate Movius
Dale Nash
Barbara Pandolfo
Denise Prince
Rachel Lynn Sebastian
Paris Tanaka
Anne Tegtmeier
Carla Vega
Theresa L. Villeneuve
Keith Willis

 

 

 

 

REVIEWS & WRITE-UPS

 

“Jazz Nights no és ni molt menys un documental interessantíssim, sinó que va més enllà. És pura essència, humanitat i màgia del jazz i l’ànima més profunda dels músics que el fan possible. Vaig quedar profundament impactada. Gràcies Hal Masonberg per aquest regal dels sentits.”

Marta Carrasco, Celebrated Catalan artist who moves between theater, dance and the visual arts as a performer, dancer, choreographer and director. Carrasco has taken home a fistful of awards, including the National Dance Prize of Catalonia and several Max awards.

“Jazz Nights is more than a very interesting documentary, it goes further. It is the pure essence, humanity and magic of jazz and the deepest soul of the musicians who make it possible. I was deeply shocked. Thank you Hal Masonberg for this gift of the senses.”Marta Carrasco.

 

 

 

“Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey” is a splendid documentary that reveals a number of things – that jazz is not dead; that it is more than just an entertainment form but is really a spiritual path; that those who play it, even in a hash bar, are thoughtful, articulate, and a pleasure to listen to. The film makers got it right, balancing superb music with an ongoing and intelligent contemplation/narrative from the performers about jazz and its pursuit. Highly recommended.”

Dennis McNally, Cultural historian and Grateful Dead publicist.  Author of On Highway 61: Music, Race, and the Evolution of Cultural FreedomA Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful DeadDesolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, The Beat Generation, And America, and many others.  

 

 

“At the heart of creative music, there is the language of life, truth, love, tragedy and expression. The therapeutically shared musical catharsis that emanates from Jazz was intimately captured with rich color, texture and solid sound storytelling. A documentary for all to see!”

LeRoy Downs “The Jazzcat,” Los Angeles jazz radio broadcaster, producer, curator of the Just Jazz Concert Series, jazz radio broadcaster with 89.9 KCRW FM, 90.7 FM KPFK and continued affiliation with 88.1 KJazz. Master of Ceremonies for the Monterey Jazz Festival and host of other festivals and series including The Angel City Jazz Festival, Central Avenue Jazz Festival and many more. 

 

steveIsoardi“Enjoyed JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY immensely. The production qualities are very high, very well done, including excellent cinematography, which takes the viewer into the world of the artists and makes them part of the scene. I had such a strong feeling of direct engagement with the music and the artists, that there was nothing in between — especially loved that there was no narrator instructing what I should think and feel!

“The audience, especially those relatively new to jazz (but not only) should gain incredible insight into this art form. It so effectively conveys many of the reasons jazz is so powerful and vital.”

Steve Isoardi, author The Dark Tree: Jazz and the Community Arts in Los Angeles, Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los AngelesSongs of the Unsung: The Musical and Social Journey of Horace Tapscott

 

 

Screen Shot 2016-03-30 at 2.34.48 PM“Hal Masonberg’s sensual, understated documentary Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey (2016) makes a case for jazz returning to the night. And not just the literal night but the night of alternative spaces of the L.A. underground and word-of-mouth, to music free from club and record label skulduggery and allowed to breath again.”

-Matthew Duersten, StompBeast, Senior editor of Glue magazine, Has written for numerous publications including L.A. Weekly, No Depression, All About Jazz, Variety, Los Angeles magazine, Time Out-New York,  and more. 

 

 

 

“JAZZ NIGHTS” is a window into the jazz musician’s everyday life and way of thinking. By following the stories of Los Angeles native musicians such as Geoff “Double G” Gallegos, Shaunte Palmer and Emile Porée, you can witness the beauty of how thriving the LA music scene is. Kudos to Hal Masonberg for this work of art. Highly recommended!”

Anthony Fung, jazz drummer

 

 

 

 

Jazz Nights shows us musicians making music, and musicians talking about music-making. As a musician, I often find this sort of thing hard to pull off in a way that does justice to the music and the subject matter. Hal Masonberg swirls them together brilliantly, punctuating each scene with appropriate and insightful quotations from players, critics, and philosophers. My favorite line: “To be a criminal, you have to improvise. And so there is no better training for crime than jazz.” 

David Gans, musician, songwriter, and music journalist. Playing in the Band: An Oral and Visual Portrait of the Grateful Dead; This Is All a Dream We Dreamed: an Oral History of the Grateful Dead 

 

 

 

“This a brilliant documentary of such special place and time. There’s always been the rivalry of Jazz from east coast to the west and I sense this to be the perfect reflection of how fine the west coast is. For this to take place in yet another grand aspect of L.A., a hash spot! Playing ones instrument in club of this size and with the air filled with the lush, reminds of what we’ve referenced as “contact high”, because Jazz music is also a perfect “contact high”, without a doubt. 

“The interviews in this film, for me, literally feed-the-film! I love it! This is like an inside look at the outside in/within = soul. My recent view of life without genres is something that is a reflection of Romare Bearden and Rusell Mills = COLLAGE. That’s where I feel comfort with most of the arts being a collaboration of collage. 

“I highly recommend digging fully into Hal’s artistry here in this fine film. Dig!!!”

Breeze Smith, jazz percussionist

 

 

“A beautiful filmed document displaying the passion of jazz. An intimate portrayal that draws you into the musician’s world. A wonderful film for all jazz and music lovers!”

-Bob Minkin, music photographer, Just Jerry, The Music Never Stopped, Live Dead, The Grateful Dead Photographed by Bob Minkin

 

 

 

 

 

jeffrewinston2“JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY is a riveting tour de force. With candor and unbridled passion, the artists resonate beyond the bandstand.”

 

Jeffrey Winston, California Jazz Foundation Board of Directors, jazz producer, historian, journalist, producer of the World Stage Jazz Festival, and World Stage Stories archivist.

 

 

 

“Positively transcendent! Masonberg puts you right in the room and immerses you in the journey. Highly recommended!”

Stephen Inglis, CUT THE DEAD SOME SLACK, FRAGILE THUNDER, KEALE. Grammy-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitarist. His duet album with legend Dennis Kamakahi, Waimaka Helelei, won Hawaii’s highest musical honor, a Na Hoku Hanohano Award, and the CD is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Barely out of his teens, Stephen formed a group with legendary Grateful Dead drummer, Bill Kreutzmann.

 

 

 

“Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey is the homage to Jazz. There is a cinematic story that is over 100 years old and it is reminiscent of the Cotton Club in New York and the Downtown Central Avenue Jazz scene in Los Angeles. Improvisational Jazz is the foundation of our first speak easy. These musicians came together collaborating with a film director and provided an impromptu look at what the future will bring when artists are free to create in a space that has no judgement. The music that is heard is not only an ambiance, or nuance, it is a movement that will set a standard of what underground Jazz means in Los Angeles. Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey gives back the essence and meaning of real straight-ahead Jazz.”

A.K. Toney, Los Angeles-based poet, writer and performance artist. Featured poet in the 2007 anthology Voices From Leimert Park

 

 

“For those buried in the ritual of music OR individuals who may rarely care to hear a note, this film offers all a unique and intimate visit with a musical microcosm unlike any I’ve seen. 

“Jazz Nights lovingly reveals the personality of a group of fascinating individual musicians while also bringing to light a superb niche-jazz scene in a very unexpected place. Character and soul abound in this captivating documentary. 

“Hal Masonberg’s camera work exposes a cinematic style that is so comfortable and tender… it relaxes. It was such a pleasure to get lost in this film. As a musician, I could not help feel like I was in that smokey back room, playing the beat, sensing the joy and digging into the musical exploration. JAZZ NIGHTS is the film you will want to watch twice… and I recommend doing so.”

Rodney Newman, drummer, Jerry’s Middle Finger

 

 

cdf617_fd5bcf2c6bd03dd2906d19296d6f4cba.jpg_srz_p_340_375_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srzJazz Nights: A Confidential Journey is beautifully made, with the highest respect and admiration for the music, the playing, and the lives of the players.

“For me, it’s a classic with a firm place in the cultural archives right next to The Freshest Kids, Basquiat: The Radiant Child, and any Warhol documentary. It was so exciting to see my peers honored, our time in history captured, and the art form portrayed with such reverence.”

Ebony Ann Blaze, Jazz vocalist

 

 

 

“LeRoy Downs and I had the opportunity to screen the film in Hollywood and we really enjoyed it. It takes you inside a unique gathering of local jazz musicians who come together weekly to share life stories, play jazz and fellowship. A real life glimpse of a group of working musicians.”

Frederick Smith, Jr., Producer of Just Jazz Concert Series in Los Angeles. 

 

 

 

 

“Unlike any documentary on jazz music I have seen, JAZZ NIGHTS reveals a very contemporary reality of the classic American form, and at a specific moment in Los Angeles history. Hal Masonberg brings us intimately into the concert and practice space showing the skill that goes into being both unique individual players and coming together as an ensemble. I learn something new about both music and myself each time I see the film. A fantastic piece for both musicians and music enthusiasts.”

Sariyah Idan, internationally touring singer-songwriter, bandleader, and actor-playwrite.

 

 

 

I had no idea that I would be completely captivated by a documentary about some musicians playing jazz in the back of a hash bar, yet somehow I found myself connecting with the love of the music that these musicians shared. It wasn’t for fame, money, or the adrenaline rush of hearing people cheering wildly. It was the joy of the music and the musicians who played it. The film flew by and I realized I was completely engrossed, lost in the story. It’s a unique slice of life, a thing of beauty, hidden in plain view. This is a movie about connections between special souls who share themselves sonically with those who would listen, and trust me, you should!”

 

 -John Malsberger, guitarist, singer, songwriter, Grampas Grass

 

 

“This is awesome! Not only is Jazz such an important part of our musical culture, JAZZ NIGHTS puts us right into the heart of it. Great film!!”

Jake Cunavelis, director and owner at Mt. Mansfield Media, director of The Music Never Stopped.

 

 

 

 

 

“JAZZ NIGHTS is masterfully structured, each topic set to a musical piece, each musical piece guiding us deeper into the theme of improvisation, until the entire set leaves us with a glowing epiphany!”

Shyamala Moorty, interdisciplinary artist with a background in contemporary Indian and western dance forms and theater. Creator and Performer of Dancing Storytellers, Founding Member of Post Natyam Collective.

 

 

 

1010718_10153545095836107_8090845864009247223_n“What Hal Masonberg –mason jar more likely because he captures the goods and preserves them with tasty morsels–did was create an archive. Which, for me, was living and breathing. The river of music that soundtracked the film ebbed and flowed out of the dialogue– of biographies, philosophies, styles, signatures… I didn’t have to worry or wonder or ask questions about what the film was about… The film took care of me. I just had to — like a solo– ride it. 

“When a thing is well made, it speaks for itself. It moves you. 

“Thank you Hal for the tapestry, the editing, the following through with a gut feeling… What a way to make us feel that spark again, that seed of Life again -Musically, Visually, Politically… and Spiritually.

Lynn Elishaw, Los Angeles-based artist and teacher. A regular staple of Jazz clubs around Los Angeles, Lynn does public paintings to live Jazz music. 

 

 

10353584_10103343587495676_6287955009340590420_n“I am very proud and touched by this beautiful artistic statement, which I also happen to be a part of. 

“I had a personal screening yesterday of “Jazz Nights: A Confidential Journey” and I sincerely believe it’s the best documentary I’ve seen in that it takes you into the psyche of a musician like no other documentary has before. And unlike other music documentaries, this one has a LOT of what musicians do best: perform poetry WITHOUT Words; i.e. PLAY MUSIC. Our director Hal Masonberg shows with every shot and edit that he truly loves the musicians and the music and the nature of collective expression.”

Josh Duron, Los Angeles-based Jazz drummer

 

THE SONGS

Here are the songs performed (in part or in full) by the musicians in JAZZ NIGHTS: A CONFIDENTIAL JOURNEY (except where noted):

 

PENT-UP HOUSE Sonny Rollins

LITTLE SUNFLOWERFreddie Hubbard

MOANIN’Bobby Timmons

SONG FOR MY FATHERHorace Silver

MARY MONTH OF MAYGeoff Gallegos

SUMMERTIMEGeorge & Ira Gershwin (M), Dubose Heyward (L)

JUST FRIENDS – John Klenner (Oscar Peterson Quartet perform from the BBC’s Oscar Peterson: Words & Music)

THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOUHarry Warren

BLUE HAIKU – Geoff Gallegos

PAPA’S THEMEShaunte Palmer

JELLY ROLLCharles Mingus

VERGE OF SERENITY Shaunte Palmer

NIGHT DREAMERWayne Shorter (M), Kurt Elling (L)

RECORDA MEJoe Henderson

THE THEME – Kenny Dorham

MEET THE FLINTSTONES – Joseph Barbera, Hoyt Curtin, William Hanna

I’VE HEARD IT ALL BEFORE JP Maramba

SCREENINGS & NEWS

Screenings

Upcoming Screenings:

 

December 14, 2023: Can Balmas, Palautordera, Catalunya, Spain. 8PM. 

 


Screenings Archive:

 

 

October 6, 2022: Cinema Esbarjo, Cardedeu, Catalunya, Spain. JAZZ NIGHTS will kick off the Cardedeu Jazz de Xoc Festival! There will be local chocolate and live jazz before the film from 19.30-20.00. JAZZ NIGHTS will screen at 20.00, followed by a Q&A with director Hal Masonberg.

March 16, 2022: Just Jazz Series, Mr Musichead Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. 7-7:30pm: The Jon Dalton Trio Live. 7:30-9:30pm: Screening of JAZZ NIGHTS followed by cast & crew Q&A.

November 13, 2021: Invitation-only screening, Cardedeu, Catalunya, Spain. Check back for video of Hal’s intro to the screening. Coming soon.

March 25-29, 2020. Post private screening Facebook Live Q&A w/ Hal Masonberg, Jon Dalton & Emile Porée.

November 3, 2018: JAZZ NIGHTS Fundraiser Screening at the Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado St. Los Angeles, California. Watch the post-screening Q&A here.

July 14, 2017: CSU Summer Arts Festival, Fresno, CA. Check out intros and Q&A here.

May 6, 2017: JAZZ NIGHTS free online, invitation-only, 1-day global stream on Vimeo.

February 10th, 2017: The Copenhagen Jazz Film Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark. This was JAZZ NIGHTS’ European and Scandinavian premiere! The screening was in conjunction with the Copenhagen Winter Jazz Festival. JAZZ NIGHTS won the Audience Award at this festival!

July 13, 2016: 6PM & 8PM. Querétaro, México in the Auditorium of the Museum of the City (del Museo de la Ciudad). JAZZ NIGHTS will be having its Latin American Premiere at the 6th Annual Summer Jazz Festival in Querétaro, México.

WORLD PREMIERE: Saturday, April 23rd, 5:15 PM at the Fashion Island Cinemas in Newport Beach, CA. at the Newport Beach Film Festival!

Feb. 19, 2016, Espacio 1839, Boyle Heights, CA. 7:00 pm-midnight. JAZZ NIGHTS Musical Event, Extended Trailer viewing, cast & crew Q&A, live jazz by film’s stars! 1839 E. 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA. 90033. Listen to Q&A. View Photos and Video.

Jan. 12, 2016, Canon Hollywood Professional Technology And Support Center, Screening, cast & crew Q&A, live jazz performance. View Photos and Video.

Latest News

News, Updates, Cast & Crew Interviews, Screening Footage

 

Watch JAZZ NIGHTS Post-Screening Q&A from Mr Musichead Gallery, March 16, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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