PHK Review: I had recorded this from BBC4 pre-Christmas and finally found an opportunity to watch this excellent documentary last night.
Focusing on Ronnie Scott and his lifelong collaboration with Pete King, this tells the Modern Jazz story of two talented musicians who put their love of their art before financial gains, almost having to close the club on several occasions due to the money running out.
Beautifully told, some fabulous footage (including THAT drum solo by Buddy Rich) and fantastic contributions from some of the greats from the Modern Jazz scene. Plus some great and unique stories such as Jimi Hendrix guesting at the club the night before he died.
The documentary concludes with the sale of Ronnie Scott's' after his death and how this fantastic and seminal venue has been maintained.
If you're a fan of Modern Jazz, and the UK scene in particular, then this is a documentary for you.
SYNOPSIS:
In 1959, saxophonist Ronnie Scott opened the door to a small basement club in London’s Soho. As part of the burgeoning modern jazz movement, he and fellow saxophonist Pete King had dreamt of opening a club modelled on the swinging scene of New York’s 52nd Street. From its humble beginnings sixty years ago, Ronnie Scott’s would become the cornerstone of the UK jazz scene and one of the most famous jazz clubs in the world.
Ronnie Scott was beloved by many, from the great and famous who frequented his club, to the many hard up musicians who were often helped by his warmth and generous spirit. However, Ronnie was as complex and colourful as the music played on his stage. In private Ronnie battled with depression and when his untimely death occurred in 1996 it left the jazz community bereft of a respected and favourite leader.
Funny and moving, Ronnie’s features performances by some of greatest musicians of the C20th including...
OSCAR PETERSON
DIZZY GILLESPIE
ROLAND KIRK
CLEO LANE & JOHN DANKWORTH
BUDDY RICH
SARAH VAUGHAN
SONNY ROLLINS
MILES DAVIS
JIMI HENDRIX
ELLA FITZGERALD
VAN MORRISON & CHET BAKER
NINA SIMONE
and BEN WEBSTER
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