Charles Lloyd - Jazz a Vienne is a documentary film that chronicles legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd's performance at the Jazz a Vienne festival in France. The film captures Lloyd's performance with his quartet and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. The film takes place in the summer of 2016 when Charles Lloyd and his quartet, which includes Gerald Clayton on piano, Harish Raghavan on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums, perform at the Jazz a Vienne festival. The film opens with a beautiful shot of the festival's outdoor stage, where Lloyd and his quartet begin playing "Dream Weaver" to an eager and enthusiastic audience.
Throughout the film, the audience gets to see a stunning performance from Lloyd, who even in his mid-70s, continues to amaze audiences with his beautiful and emotive playing. One of the strongest aspects of the film is its focus on the interplay between Lloyd and Zakir Hussain. The duo's collaboration is magical, and the audience can see the mutual respect and admiration both musicians have for one another.
While there is a strong focus on the music, the film also takes the audience on a journey through Charles Lloyd's life and career. The audience gets to see some of Lloyd's past performances, including footage of his famous 1966 concert at the Monterey Jazz Festival. The film also features interviews with Lloyd, where he shares stories about his life and career, and his philosophy on music and life, which is deeply spiritual and reflects his lifelong practice of meditation.
The film's director, Julian Benedikt, does an excellent job of capturing the energy and excitement of a live jazz performance. The camera work is superb, with sweeping shots of the stage, close-ups of each musician, and audience reactions. The sound quality of the film is also fantastic, capturing the full range of Lloyd's saxophone and Hussain's tabla.
The film concludes with an encore performance of "Go Down Moses," which has become somewhat of a signature tune for Lloyd. The performance is met with a standing ovation from the crowd, which is well deserved after such a stunning performance.
Overall, Charles Lloyd - Jazz a Vienne is a must-see film for fans of jazz music. It offers a glimpse into the life and career of one of the most influential musicians of our time and captures an unforgettable performance from Lloyd and his quartet. The film is a beautiful testament to the power of music and the joy it can bring to people's lives.
Charles Lloyd - Jazz a Vienne is a 2013 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 6 minutes.
