Anita O'Day

A two-bit criminal takes on the Mafia to avenge his brother's death. Earl Macklin is a small time criminal who is released from prison after an unsuccessful bank robbery only to discover that a pair of gunmen killed his brother.

A dying man frames himself for murder so his widow can collect the reward.

Set at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, this documentary mixes images of water and the town with performers and audience. The film progresses from day to night and from improvisational music to Gospel. It's a concert film that suggests peace and leisure, jazz at a particular time and place.

'Too Hip For the Room' is a feature length documentary exploring the eccentric life and art of the little known jazz humorist Lord Buckley. Archival materials, intriguing presentations of Buckley's most mind bending audio performances, and insightful interviews with Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Studs Terkel and many others weave together a portrait of a unique American persona. Part preacher, part hipster, Buckley sermonized on everything from hydrogen bombs to Jesus Christ. He counted both Al Capone and Laurence Olivier as fans. During his heyday, the kings and queens of comedy and jazz sat eagerly at his feet to hear the word of 'The Lord', yet he rarely if ever fill a nightclub. Lord Buckley may simply have been 'Too Hip For the Room'.

The story of legendary jazz drummer, Gene Krupa. Since his youth, all Gene ever wanted to do is play the drums and make music. This is something his parents would not approve of- they want him to be a priest. When Gene's father dies he promises to enter the priesthood. He soon realizes that he doesn't belong there and leaves to join his friend, Eddie's band. Ethel, Eddie's girlfriend, convinces Gene to go to New York and make it big. The 3 of them head to New York. Here Ethel and Gene soon fall in love and Gene makes a name for himself. Gene starts to live in the fast lane, with drugs, alcohol, women and parties. Ethel, unhappy with Gene's lifestyle, leaves him. Gene soon "hits rock bottom" where he has to face reality and choose where to take his life.

This documentary explores the life of jazz singer Anita O'Day. As a child, Anita had a tonsillectomy, during which her uvula was accidentally removed. The surgery prevents her from singing vibrato and holding long notes, but lends to her much-revered percussive style. Anita overcomes her vocal hurdle, as well as many others -- including poverty, heroin addiction and jail time for a drug arrest -- to become one of the most prolific and respected jazz vocalists of the 20th century. Initial release: 30 April 2007

Anita O'Day with Gene Krupa and His Orchestra perform "Let Me Off Uptown".

Short film featuring band leader Stan Kenton and vocalist Anita O'Day.

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Celebrated jazz vocalist Anita O'Day, known for her inventive improvisational style and rhythmic instincts, puts on a swinging performance in this vintage 1963 concert filmed in Tokyo. Songs include "Boogie Blues," "Trav'lin' Light," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Avalon," "Bewitched," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "Night and Day," "Let's Fall in Love," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Tea for Two" and more.

Anita O’Day boasts two wonderful concerts from 1963 and 1970 that present the “jazz singer supreme” in impeccable form. O’Day’s horn-based approach to singing is in full effect throughout both shows including stand-out renditions in each show of audience favorites “Tea For Two” and “Sweet Georgia Brown” (both reprised from her triumphant appearance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.) Two wonderful concerts from 1963 and 1970 that present the jazz singer supreme in impeccable form. O'Day's horn-based approach to singing is in full effect throughout both shows including stand-out renditions in each show of audience favorites Tea for Two and Sweet Georgia Brown (both reprised from her triumphant appearance at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival.) This DVD is a fitting testimony to one of jazz music's true originals and shows unequivocally why she is ranked in the top tier of vocalists along with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday.