Tallgrass Film Festival
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This is Gary McFarland2006
The story of legendary 1960s jazz arranger and composer Gary McFarland (who died much too young at the age of thirty-eight under mysterious circumstances). Features interviews with Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Steve Kuhn, Airto Moreira and many more, as well as rare music performances by Bill Evans, Stan Getz and the Gary McFarland Orchestra.
What makes this film worth watching?
"Part whodunit, part worshipful biography [...] on the life and mysteriously premature death of up-and-coming jazz musician Gary McFarland." John Hartl, the Seattle Times
2 members like this review
This is more than a tribute to a forgotten Jazz hero. This film is a snapshot of an era: the last glorious stand of Jazz as a major force on the Pop charts before Rock & Roll finally pushed it off the top of the pyramid once and for all. It takes you back to a swinging world of sport coats, convertibles, hi-fi stereos, whiskey and cigarettes.
Though his soundtrack work was minimal, there is a strong visual dynamic to Gary McFarland’s compositions. This was the kind of energetic sound you hear in television and movie themes of the 1960’s, from legendary composers like Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, and Henry Mancini. McFarland ranks with those names.
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Starring
- Joe Beck - Himself
- Bob Brookmeyer - Himself
- John Calley - Himself
- Emile Charlap - Himself
- Gary McFarland - Himself
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Member Reviews (6)
top reviewer
This is more than a tribute to a forgotten Jazz hero. This film is a snapshot of an era: the last glorious stand of Jazz as a major force on the Pop charts before Rock & Roll finally pushed it off the top of the pyramid once and for all. It takes you back to a swinging world of sport coats, convertibles, hi-fi stereos, whiskey and cigarettes.
Though his soundtrack work was minimal, there is a strong visual dynamic to Gary McFarland’s compositions. This was the kind of energetic sound you hear in television and movie themes of the 1960’s, from legendary composers like Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, and Henry Mancini. McFarland ranks with those names.
2 members like this review
This documented a rarity in music, an adult prodigy, who burned brightly from the 60's until his tragic death in 1971. Created about 35 years after his death, It combines interviews with his collaborators and his survivors with archival footage that relives a time when jazz reached a mass audience.
1 member likes this review
top reviewer
great
Good documentary on one of the more versatile and interesting jazz figures of the 60s. I knew quite a bit about McFarland before watching the film, but I was unaware of his addiction issues. Having some knowledge of his music prior to seeing the film will make for a more satisfactory viewer experience.
Quite an interesting doc,although a little crude. Gary was quite an interesting and talented fellow. Would have liked to have learned a little more about his background, though
As a long standing jazz fan, I found this incredibly interesting as I did not know much about Gary, even though I have some of his recordings. It was fascinating seeing many of the muscians that are well known in the jazz world. My previous experience was only seeing them in person, or photos of them on albums when they, and I, were young. Now we aren't.