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The story behind Blue Note Records, founded in New York in 1939 by 2 German Jewish refugees who allowed their musicians complete creative freedom, revolutionising jazz in the process.

A revelatory, thrilling and emotional journey behind the scenes of Bluish Note Records, the pioneering label that gave voice to some of the finest jazz artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

When German Jewish refugees Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff started Blue Note in 1939 in New York, the 2 Berliners allowed their artists complete liberty and encouraged them to compose new music. Their visionary and uncompromising approach led to releases that did not simply revolutionise jazz; they left an indelible imprint on art and music, including hip hop.

The present provides a signal of departure from which the flick recovers the past. Legendary artists Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter come together with today's generation of groundbreaking Blue Note artists such equally Robert Glasper and Ambrose Akinmusire to record an all-stars album.

These reflections atomic number 82 united states of america back to the highly influential figures of the past on which the legacy of Blueish Note has been built, including Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, John Coltrane, Art Blakey, Horace Silverish and Miles Davis. Rare archival interviews and conversations with Blueish Note musicians provide an intimate look into the creation and philosophy backside some of the most seminal tracks in jazz history.

The flick reveals the values that jazz embodies and that Blue Note has promoted since its inception: freedom of expression, equality, dialogue - values we can larn from and that are as relevant today as they were when the label was founded.

Concluding on

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the get-go of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Blue Note All-Stars

    Bayyinah

  • Sidney Bechet Quintet

    Summertime

  • Thelonious Monk

    In Walked Bud

  • Carl-Erik Lindgren, John Coltrane

    John Coltrane Interview ((By Carl-Erik Lindgren))

  • Miles Davis All Stars

    I Waited For Yous

  • Cannonball Adderley

    Somethin' Else

  • Joe Henderson

    Mode For Joe

  • The Fine art Blakey Quintet

    Mayreh

  • Fine art Blakey

    Moanin' (Alternating Take)

  • Wayne Shorter

    Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum

  • Blue Notation All-Stars, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock

    Masquelero

  • Lee Morgan

    The Sidewinder

  • Dr. Lonnie Smith

    Spinning Bike

  • Lou Donaldson

    Ode To Billie Joe

  • Herbie Hancock

    Cantaloupe Isle

  • Bobby McFerrin

    Thinkin' About Your Body

  • Norah Jones

    Don't Know Why

  • Robert Glasper Experiment

    Black Radio (feat. Yasiin Bey)

  • Kendrick Lamar

    Mortal Man

  • John Coltrane

    Moment's Notice

Credits

Interviewed Guest Ambrose Akinmusire
Interviewed Guest Michael Cuscuna
Interviewed Guest Lou Donaldson
Interviewed Guest Herbie Hancock
Interviewed Invitee Norah Jones
Interviewed Guest Derrick Hodge
Producer Hercli Bundi
Producer Susanne Guggenberger
Producer Chiemi Karasawa
Director Sophie Huber

Broadcasts