Watch Newport Jazz Festival 1962

On July 3rd and 4th of 1962, Newport, Rhode Island played host to an iconic event that would come to define American jazz for generations to come: the Newport Jazz Festival. This legendary festival featured a stunning array of some of the finest jazz musicians of the era, including the likes of Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and Dave Brubeck, among many others.

The Newport Jazz Festival had been running since 1954 and had gained a reputation as one of the premier showcases for jazz music, drawing thousands of fans and even being hailed by some as the "Woodstock of Jazz". The 1962 festival represented a pinnacle moment in its long history, featuring not only some of the most celebrated musicians of the day but also capturing the sound and spirit of an entire cultural movement.

Filmed by director Bert Stern, the Newport Jazz Festival 1962 is a stunning cinematic record of this event, taking us on a musical journey that ranges from the explosive energy of Coltrane's searing saxophone solos to the cool, sophisticated rhythms of Brubeck's classic quartet. Shot in lush, vivid color, the film captures not only the music but also the atmosphere of the festival, with its unique blend of youthful exuberance and sophisticated musical artistry.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its intimate, up-close look at the musicians themselves. We see the joy and intensity in their faces as they weave their intricate melodies, the sweat on their brows as they push themselves to the limits of expression. Despite the limitations of the technology of the time, Stern's cameras capture moments of intense intimacy and emotion that still resonate today.

Highlights of the film include performances by Monk, who takes the stage looking like a mischievous elf, grinning from ear to ear as he lays down his singularly idiosyncratic piano stylings. We also see Ellington, the grand old man of jazz, taking us back through the classic tunes of his long career, his elegant poise and air of aristocratic elegance belying the powerful swing and drive of his music.

But perhaps the most unforgettable moment comes with Coltrane's performance of his iconic piece "My Favorite Things". Here we are witness to one of the most electrifying solos in all of jazz history, as Coltrane uses his horn to weave an intricate web of sound that seems to reach beyond the limits of human expression. The camera lingers on his face, capturing the intensity and focus with which he plays, and the effect is simply mesmerizing.

But even beyond the individual performances, the film is a testament to the sheer diversity and richness of the jazz genre in the early 1960s. We see evidence of the endless experimentation and exploration that characterized the era, with artists like Brubeck and Gerry Mulligan pushing the boundaries of what was considered "jazz" music with their unique fusions of styles and genres.

In the end, the Newport Jazz Festival 1962 is much more than just a concert film. Its vibrant colors and intimate camerawork make it a document of an entire era, a time when jazz was king and American culture was in the midst of a profound transition. It stands as a testament to the power and vitality of the music itself, and the people who created it.

If you're a fan of jazz, or just a lover of great music and cinema, the Newport Jazz Festival 1962 is an essential viewing experience. It's a time capsule of a bygone era, a celebration of the musicians who made it great, and a reminder of the timeless power of jazz music to move and inspire us.