Cool Cats
Denmark, Feature Documentary, 2016, 83 min
In the mid-1960s, tenor saxophone stars Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon leave America and its racism behind—along with a trail of heavy alcohol and heroin abuse. When they reach Copenhagen, they find what they need: a caring medical system and an even more caring, jazz-loving population that greets the tenor sax players as musical saviors. In turn, Webster and Gordon by their presence help Copenhagen transform into one of the most attractive and busy jazz cities in Europe. The film’s visual backbone consists of Webster’s own 8-mm footage, which resurfaces here for the first time.
Directed by Janus Køster-Rasmussen
Film Notes
Boulder Premiere
ALSO SCREENING AT ETOWN HALL
Intro by jazz musician Don Grusin. Don composes and records music in the Colorado High Rockies and around the world. Listen at dongrusin.com. SPECIAL THANKS TO JAZZ ON 2ND AVE., SEPT. 16, 2017. JAZZON2NDAVE.COM