Imagine the Sound is a 1981 Canadian documentary film about the once-controversial genre of free jazz, directed by Ron Mann.[1] It serves as Mann's feature film directorial debut.[2]
| Imagine the Sound | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ron Mann |
| Produced by | Ron Mann Bill Smith |
| Starring | Paul Bley Bill Dixon Archie Shepp Cecil Taylor |
| Cinematography | Robert Fresco |
| Edited by | Sonya Polonsky |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Background
editImagine the Sound marks Mann's feature film directorial debut; he made the film while he was still in his early twenties.[2] The film deals with the once-controversial genre of free jazz.[3][4][1]
Shot entirely in Toronto, the film features interviews with and musical and dramatic performances by pianist Cecil Taylor, saxophonist Archie Shepp, trumpeter Bill Dixon, and pianist Paul Bley.[3][4][5] Bill Smith features as the interviewer of the film's subjects.[6]
Availability
editThe film has been digitally restored and was released on DVD in 2007.[7][8]
Reception
editCritic and film historian Jonathan Rosenbaum has said that Imagine the Sound “may be the best documentary on free jazz that we have.”[9]
See also
edit- Toronto New Wave-the film movement Ron Mann was part of in 1980s Canada
- Ornette: Made in America- the 1985 Shirley Clarke documentary film about free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman
- Poetry in Motion-a 1982 documentary film also by Mann
References
edit- ^ a b "IMAGINE THE SOUND | The Clinton Street Theater". cstpdx.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ a b "Canadian Film Encyclopedia - Ron Mann". cfe.tiff.net. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ a b "Documentary Screening: Imagine The Sound (1981) - Gardiner Museum". www.gardinermuseum.on.ca. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ a b "IMAGINE THE SOUND". Austin Film Society. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Jazz, All About (20 October 2007). "Paul Bley/Archie Shepp/Bill Dixon/Cecil Taylor: Imagine the Sound article @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ "Imagine The Sound". Sphinx Productions. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
- ^ "Sphinx Productions". Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
- ^ "KQEK DVD Review: Imagine the Sound (1981)". www.kqek.com. Retrieved 2021-05-26.
- ^ Imagine the Sound (1981) - Film Affinity, retrieved 2021-05-26