The Last of the First
The Harlem Blues & Jazz Band during its sunset years: 87-year-old Al Casey, who had worked closely with Fats Waller throughout the 1930s; guitarist Lawrence Lucie, 95 years young, from the bands of Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter and Duke Ellington; saxophonist Bubba Brooks, 79, who was with Bill Doggett; Edwin Swanston, 80, pianist with Louis Armstrong's Orchestra; 91-year-old drummer Johnny Blowers, ex-Bunny Berigan, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra; Ivan Rolle, 85, bassist with Jonah Jones; and 88-year-old Laurel Watson, one-time vocalist with Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Baron's cameras record the musicians through their tours and concerts, capturing their joy in performing together. A celebration of the jazz spirit.
Director: Anja Baron
Cast
Albert Vollmer
himself
Joey Morant
himself
Bobby Pring
himself
Bubba Brooks
himself
Edwin Swanston
himself
Al Casey
himself
Lawrence Lucie
himself
Alex Layne
himself
John G. Blowers, Jr.
himself
Ivan 'Loco' Rolle
himself
Calvin Lynch
himself
Laurel Watson
herself
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