Jesse Fuller

In 1963 German filmmaker Dietrich Wawzyn set out to shoot a series of films for German television that took him through the southern US in search of American jazz and roots music. He contacted Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz, who jumped at the chance to join him and share his enthusiasm for regional musical traditions. Wawzyn made three films dealing with blues, gospel, and hillbilly music. The negatives to those films were lost. This film recreates the journey from the best elements still available and includes much previously unreleased footage.

A KRON-TV film documentary featuring the last public concert given by one man band musician Jesse Fuller, in Oakland Museum's Cowell Hall on May 7th 1971. Fuller is seen playing several songs (including 'San Francisco Bay Blues') and bantering with the audience, recalling how he appeared in Raoul Walsh's 1924 movie 'The Thief of Bagdad'. Also includes close-up views of him playing his guitar and fotdella (a foot operated percussion bass) and talking about his playing style. Begins and ends with brief scenes of Fuller walking around his Oakland neighborhood.