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The Cry of Jazz

Name: The Cry of Jazz
Director: Edward Bland
Released: 1959
Duration: 34 min

Representation Score

4.5/10

Fair

1959

Not Rated

Director

Edward Bland

Runtime

34 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Cry of Jazz is a groundbreaking independent film that highlights the intersection of music and racial politics. It uses jazz as a metaphor for racial struggle, offering a unique critique of mid-century documentary filmmaking. While the film excels in showcasing the ability to act of Black creators, it falls short in representing gender diversity and LGBTQ+ characters. Its focus on male musicians limits its inclusivity. Overall, the film's strength lies in its use of jazz to challenge conventional narratives and highlight the experiences of African American artists.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Cry of Jazz have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film does not feature any on-screen LGBTQ+ characters or narratives.

How does The Cry of Jazz portray gender?

Limited

The movie focuses almost entirely on the male-dominated jazz scene of the mid-1950s. It lacks significant roles for women, focusing instead on male musicians and nightclub environments.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Cry of Jazz?

Excellent

The film centers on Black creators such as Edward O. Bland and Sun Ra, disrupting the predominantly white perspective of 1950s cinema.

How does The Cry of Jazz represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film portrays jazz as a response to systemic structures, emphasizing the subjective experience of performers over traditional musical hierarchies.

Does The Cry of Jazz include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no significant depiction of physical or neurodivergent disabilities in the film.

Present on Screen

Highlights the ability to act of Black creators and musicians.
Provides a deep cultural critique through the lens of jazz.
Features a rare self-determined narrative from an African American filmmaker.

Limited or Absent

Lacks significant female representation in the jazz narrative.
Does not include any on-screen LGBTQ+ characters or narratives.
Does not depict physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

Filmed in Chicago & finished in 1959, The Cry of Jazz is filmmaker, composer and arranger Edward O. Bland's polemical essay on the politics of music and race - a forecast of what he called "the death of jazz." A landmark moment in black film, foreseeing the civil unrest of subsequent decades, it also features the only known footage of visionary pianist Sun Ra from his beloved Chicago period. Featured are ample images of tenor saxophonist John Gilmore and the rest of Ra's Arkestra in Windy City nightclubs, all shot in glorious black & white.

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