Whether You Like it Or Not, You’ll be All Jazzed Up for ‘JazzTown’ (Movie Review)

JazzTown

Rating: 9/10

Director: Ben Makinen

Style: Documentary

Time: 90 minutes

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBc7-5gASi0

Director Ben Makinen did every part of this award-winning documentary

Review by Mike Szymanski

It’s a little-known fact that the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado has a long history of jazz. Thought to be a New Orleans-focused art form, this distinguished American-style music has a strong history as far up as Denver — and it’s worth a look like this film.

“JazzTown” is a rare documentary that explores this unique history and talks to people of all generations and backgrounds about jazz music today, and from the past.

Not only does it show a kid who is a drummer with a crazy-impressive knowledge of the music (Declan Scully), but also old-timers like Gene Bass, who recalls Mahalia Jackson bringing down the house for Preacher Clarence Cobb’s church, and also 102-year-old legendary bassist Charles Burrell who worked with Billie Holiday and the San Francisco Symphony.