Saturday evening, I watched this documentary about first generation of Korean jazz musicians. I bought the DVD from YesAsia a while ago (actually pre-ordered it, yes I was THAT desperate).
"Bravo! Jazz Life", a documentary film that documents the process of making a concert and album featuring these jazz maestros. This film was released in Dec 2010 and the concert was held in Jan 2011. I didn't know about these musicians at all, but seeing them playing "Round Midnight" and "All of Me", talking about John Coltrane and Duke Ellington, I feel a sense of connection with these awesome people. We speak different languages, but we are connected through music. This sounds a bit cliche, but it's so so true. I still can't remember most of their names; but trust me, I will learn their names and for sure check them out, and check out jazz scene in South Korea when I visit there.
Trailer with english subtitles
Their stories are so touching and inspiring. Most musicians' stories are inspiring, I can never deny this. In the 50s and 60s, South Korea wasn't as wealthy as today's. There was no jazz school nor jazz clubs. How did these jazz musicians find out about jazz and how did they learn jazz? How did they balance their time working and playing jazz? How about their friends and family? Why jazz? I learned so much in this film. And I feel so thankful and lucky that I have almost everything in my life.
I like one of the lines said by the narrator, "[paraphrased] Jazz musicians, jazz columnists, volunteers, fans, everyone can be jazz artist; all of them shape one jazz culture and community."
Music brings people together. Jazz is rooted from the US; but around the globe, once you hear that swinging hi hat and laid back piano comping, you feel connected with the musicians and the people around you. Jazz has so much personality and attitude embedded in the music and atmosphere, it's very humane, and it's about life.
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